Diffuse Idiopathic Hyperostosis Manifesting as Dysphagia and Bilateral Cord Paralysis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
Published on: December 1, 2023
Amer Sebaaly1, Ghassan Boubez2, Tarek Sunna3
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Centre Hopitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Background:
Diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis (DISH) is characterized by calcifications affecting mainly the spinal anterior longitudinal ligament. This disease is mainly asymptomatic but cervical osteophytes can sometimes cause dysphagia (DISHphagia), hoarseness, and even dyspnea.
Case Description:
We report, for the first time in the medical literature, a case of a 76-year-old patient with DISH causing an important dysphagia as well as bilateral vocal cord paralysis causing critical dyspnea. The patient was surgically treated by anterior resection of the osteophytes and application of bone wax, with significant clinical improvement and no radiologic recurrence after 2 years of follow-up.
Discussion And Conclusion:
A thorough literature review didn't yield any article reporting on bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by DISH. Management of this condition is typically multidisciplinary, and treatment of cervical osteophyte-associated dysphagia or respiratory compromise is primarily medical, after performing necessary tests to rule out other causes of dysphagia. Surgical intervention is warranted when medical treatment fails, when there is weight loss, a significant airway compromise or sleeping alterations. A treatment algorithm is proposed in the end of this review for symptomatic anterior osteophytes caused by DISH in the mobile cervical spine.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure...
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
Barrett Esophagus-I: Introduction
This constant acid exposure transforms the esophagus's pink mucosal lining (stratified squamous epithelium) into a type of lining more...

