[Dysphagia due to a cervical osteophyte: a case report].

Cervical osteophytes and other hypertrophic changes of the cervical spine may lead to dysphagia, odynophagia, otalgia, and sensation of a foreign body in the throat when they protrude from the anterior edge of the cervical vertebrae to the pharynx or upper esophagus. A fifty-three-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of dysphagia. Physical examination showed no abnormality. Barium esophagography revealed osteophytic spurs in the anterior aspect of C4-5 vertebrae, in close approximation to the inlet of esophagus, obstructing the esophagus passage by external compression. Anti-inflammatory therapy administered for three weeks did not provide relief of the patient's complaint. Surgical treatment recommended was refused by the patient.