Large anterior cervical osteophytes can occur in degeneration of the cervical spine, cervical spondylosis or in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). Voluminous anterior cervical osteophytes which can develop from C3 to C7 can cause narrowing of the pharyngoesophageal segment by external compression and may cause dysphagia, which may be life threatening when it is associated with aspiration and or dyspnea. The objective of this case report is to highlight how commonly occurring anterior cervical osteophytes may become an unrecognized cause for life-threatening dysphagia. The clinical and radiographic findings in patient with dysphagia and ventral osteophytes of the cervical spine due to degeneration are demonstrated. The anterolateral approach for removal of these osteophytes is described.

No abstract