Cervical osteophytes may be seen in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, ankylosing
spondylitis, posttraumatic, postoperative, degenerative causes, cervical spondylosis,
and infectious spondylitis. A cervical osteophyte is very rarely considered among
the differentials for symptoms of dysphagia. C5–C6 as well as C6–C7 being a site of
greater load-bearing and mobility, the propensity to form osteophytes is high, with
a small osteophyte leading to local mass effect. A 42-year-old male patient presented
with mild dyspnea and significant dysphagia since 8 months, accompanied by dysphonia,
weight loss, and intermittent aspiration. Clinical examination including neurological
examination was normal. A barium swallow showed that osteophytes were severely protruding
and displacing the lower pharynx and the proximal esophagus anterosuperiorly. The
patient underwent surgical removal of the osteophyte through Smith–Robinson approach.
Complaints of dysphagia were significantly decreased in postoperative period. A thorough
evaluation is necessary to rule out other causes of dysphagia. Surgical management
of this uncommon condition might be considered after confirmation of the osteophyte
to be the offending lesion as it has favorable clinical outcomes.
Key-words:
Dysphagia - giant cervical osteophyte - management
