Value of polytomography in study of dysphagia due to vertebral osteophytosis

Polytomography is a simple, noninvasive procedure useful in the diagnosis, preoperative assessment, and follow-up examination of dysphagia due to vertebral osteophytosis. It is especially recommended for all elderly patients undergoing endoscopy to evaluate possible difficulties or hazards which may be encountered due to the presence of osteophytosis. Tomographic study of the esophagus is recommended for all lesions producing dysphagia at the level of the inherently narrowed space of the thoracic inlet, where routine radiography and fluoroscopy are inadequate.