Dysphagia due to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: an analysis of five cases

Rheumatol Int. 2010 Mar;30(5):681-5. doi: 10.1007/s00296-009-0967-7. Epub 2009 May 23.

Abstract

We report five cases of dysphagia caused by diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis or Forestier's disease of the cervical spine observed by clinical evaluations, X-ray and videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia in particular was present for solid foods in all patients. Three patients showed bolus aspiration into the airways, mainly in the post-swallowing phase and one patient with preserved epiglottic tilt showed post-swallowing penetration. The physiopathogenetic mechanisms affecting swallowing dynamics were mechanical compression of the pharyngeal lumen associated with abnormal epiglottic tilt, incomplete upper esophageal sphincter openings and epiglottic/vallecula stasis. According to our results we can hypothesize that these kinetic alterations may due to Forestier's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Contrast Media
  • Deglutition Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Deglutition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Deglutition*
  • Epiglottis / physiopathology
  • Esophageal Sphincter, Upper / physiopathology
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Humans
  • Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / complications*
  • Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / diagnostic imaging
  • Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Pharynx / physiopathology
  • Video Recording

Substances

  • Contrast Media