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Updated management strategy for patients with cervical osteophytic dysphagia

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Abstract

Anterior cervical osteophytes impinging upon the pharynx or esophagus constitute a rare cause of dysphagia. In severe cases, surgical removal of these osteophytes can provide symptomatic relief. We describe a patient of this type who failed to improve postoperatively, only to be found subsequently to have a carcinoma of the base of the tongue. To assist other clinicians in evaluating similar patients, and also to emphasize the great utility of modern radiologic techniques in these cases, we propose a diagnostic algorithm that incorporates magnetic resonance or computerized tomographic imaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurological Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    Alex B. Valadka M.D. & Maurice M. Smith M.D.

  2. Division of Neuroradiology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    Wayne S. Kubal M.D.

  3. Section of Neurosurgery, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    Alex B. Valadka M.D. & Maurice M. Smith M.D.

  4. Section of Neuroradiology, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    Wayne S. Kubal M.D.

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  1. Alex B. Valadka M.D.
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  2. Wayne S. Kubal M.D.
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  3. Maurice M. Smith M.D.
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Valadka, A.B., Kubal, W.S. & Smith, M.M. Updated management strategy for patients with cervical osteophytic dysphagia. Dysphagia 10, 167–171 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00260972

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