Dysphagia and Forestier disease.

Forestier disease (ankylosing hyperostosis) is a well-recognized and common disease entity. Although these patients rarely have complaints related to their spine, they are seen by the otorhinolaryngologist because of dysphagia, since the osteophytic spurs may impinge on the posterior pharyngeal wall. Since the plain roentgenogram and barium swallow is so specific, biopsy examination of the pharyngeal mass is not necessary.