A rare cause of dysphagia: compression of the esophagus by an anterior cervical osteophyte due to ankylosing spondylitis.
10.3904/kjim.2013.28.5.614
- Author:
Ilknur ALBAYRAK
1
;
Sinan BAGCACI
;
Ali SALLI
;
Sami KUCUKSEN
;
Hatice UGURLU
Author Information
1. Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Beysehir Public Hospital, Konya, Turkey. ilknurftr@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Spondylitis, ankylosing;
Deglutition disorders;
Osteophyte;
Cervical spine;
Esophageal compression
- MeSH:
Cervical Vertebrae/*pathology/radiography;
Deglutition;
Deglutition Disorders/diagnosis/*etiology/physiopathology/therapy;
Esophageal Stenosis/diagnosis/*etiology/physiopathology/therapy;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Osteophyte/diagnosis/*etiology/therapy;
Spondylitis, Ankylosing/*complications/diagnosis/therapy;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed;
Treatment Outcome
- From:The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
2013;28(5):614-618
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatological disease affecting the axial skeleton with various extra-articular complications. Dysphagia due to a giant anterior osteophyte of the cervical spine in AS is extremely rare. We present a 48-year-old male with AS suffering from progressive dysphagia to soft foods and liquids. Esophagography showed an anterior osteophyte at C5-C6 resulting in esophageal compression. The patient refused surgical resection of the osteophyte and received conservative therapy. However, after 6 months there was no improvement in dysphagia. This case illustrates that a large cervical osteophyte may be the cause of dysphagia in patients with AS and should be included in the diagnostic workup in early stages of the disease.
