Radiographic, clinical, and histopathologic evaluation with surgical treatment of Forestier's disease

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (Forestier's disease) is a common disorder found in the spinal region, but the notable finding in this case presentation is the associated dysphagia and dysphonia that occurred with it. Asymptomatic hypertrophic spurs of the anterior surface of the cervical vertebrae may occur in 20% to 30% of the population. Rarely, dysphagia and/or dysphonia may be caused by these cervical osteophytes pressing against the esophagus, trachea, or pharyngeal tissues. A recent case of spondylitic dysphagia exhibited striking radiographic and computerized tomographic (CT) findings. In this case, the anterior cervical exostosis was resected through the anterior cervical approach with excellent relief of dysphagia.