Esophageal obstruction secondary to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is a disorder of skeletal tissues which most commonly effects elderly white males. Characteristic radiographic findings involve the production of large juxtacortical osteophytes in the absence of degenerative joint changes. The thoracic spine is the most frequently involved portion of the body, followed by the lumbar and cervical spine. Anterior osteophyte formation in the cervical spine may cause symptoms of dysphagia secondary to esophageal obstruction. These symptoms can be successfully treated by anterior osteophyte resection.