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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
08:32
Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Dysphagia and hypervitaminosis A: cervical hyperostosis
Daniel Wendling1, Chafika Hafsaoui, Jean-Marie Laurain
1Service de Rhumatologie, CHU Jean Minjoz, EA 3186, Universite de Franche-Comte, Boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon, France. dwendling@chu-besancon.fr
Joint Bone Spine
|March 18, 2009
Summary
Cervical hyperostosis can cause dysphagia. High vitamin A levels in patients without supplementation suggest a metabolic abnormality contributing to this condition.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Vertebral hyperostosis commonly affects the thoracic spine with minimal symptoms.
- Cervical spine involvement can lead to dysphagia due to esophageal compression.
Observation:
- Three male patients (54-73 years) presented with moderate to severe dysphagia.
- Clinical findings included neck stiffness and mild pain; family history was positive in one case.
- Radiographs revealed significant anterior cervical hyperostosis, with some patients also showing thoracic and pelvic hyperostosis.
Findings:
- Standard blood tests and HLA-B27 were normal.
- Elevated serum vitamin A levels (894-1123 microg/L) were observed in all patients.
- No history of retinoid use or unusual dietary habits was reported.
Implications:
- Anterior cervical hyperostosis is a potential cause of dysphagia.
- The findings suggest a possible link between hypervitaminosis A and hyperostosis development.
- An underlying abnormality in vitamin A metabolism may be responsible for hyperostosis in these patients.
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