The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Review Case Reports
Management of respiratory compromise caused by cervical osteophytes: a case report and review of the literature.
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a common condition in the aging spine. DISH is associated with large anterior osteophytes of the cervical spine, which can cause complications by compressing adjoining structures. Dysphagia is reported in up to 28% of patients, but respiratory compromise is rare. There have been no published recommendations for treatment. ⋯ Airway obstruction resulting from DISH can be treated according to the same principles as dysphagia resulting from DISH: surgical excision of osteophytes if conservative support fails.