In severe symptomatic cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), abundant bone growth anterior to the cervical vertebral bodies can displace the esophagus and trachea, producing difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or airway obstruction. This mechanical compression represents a specific clinical scenario with a defined management approach.
Severe symptomatic cervical DISH with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or airway obstruction, caused by displacement of the trachea and esophagus by excessive anterior cervical bone formation.
This presentation may require a surgical intervention directed at the excessive anterior cervical bone responsible for the mechanical compression — the complete structured protocol specifies the full approach.
DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2020.101527
As a result of the abundant bone located anterior to the vertebral bodies in the cervical spine, the trachea and esophagus can be displaced, leading to dysphagia and airway obstruction.
Surgical interventions might be required in cases of severe symptomatic cervical DISH and for unstable spinal fractures.
The operative removal of the abundant bone immediately relieves mechanical pressure on surrounding tissues, although the reoccurrence of bone growth years after initial surgical resection has been described.
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