Cervical involvement of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis with dysphagia and rhinolalia

Osteophytosis in degenerative joint diseases of the cervical spine may result in dysphagia. Recently, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) or Forestier's disease has also been identified as a cause of dysphagia. A case of DISH with cervical involvement producing dysphagia and rhinolalia is presented. The symptomatology, radiographic features and treatment of DISH involving the cervical region are discussed. The diagnosis of DISH is exclusively radiographic. Recognition of this disorder, unfamiliar to many clinicians, may avoid an unnecessary biopsy procedure of a suspected pharyngeal tumor. Once the diagnosis of DISH is made, a supplemental barium esophagram should be performed to exclude possible coexisting neoplasms. Endoscopy has a definite risk for inducing an inadvertent esophageal perforation and should be avoided, if at all possible. A conservative therapeutic approach is advocated by the authors.