[Surgical treatment of complete dysphagia caused by a giant cervical osteophyte]

Cervical osteophytes (due to new bone formation) occur in 30% of the population in middle or old age, but it is quite exceptional for this pathological condition to cause severe dysphagia. The authors report such a case, in which the diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopy, X-ray and computed tomography. In the absence of any curative treatment, surgery was required to relieve obstruction and an operation was performed via an antero-lateral extra-pharyngeal approach. Comparison with the literature confirms the validity of the authors decision, though some risks were involved.