Anterior cervical osteophytes as a cause of pharyngeal stage dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the association of anterior cervical osteophytes impairing epiglottic movement as an etiology of pharyngeal stage dysphagia.

DESIGN

A retrospective chart review.

SETTING

An academic affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

PATIENTS

Veterans 60 years of age or older referred to speech pathology for dysphagia evaluation.

RESULTS

Of 376 veterans evaluated consecutively since 1990, 40 patients had dysphagia determined to be secondary to cervical bony protuberances. The evaluation and management of three cases with functional consequences at level C3-5 with no dysphagia etiology present are described.

CONCLUSION

Cervical osteophytes need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia in older people.