A RARE CAUSE OF DYSPHAGIA THAT IS TREATABLE WITH SURGERY: A SINGLE-CENTER CASE SERIES OF FORESTIER'S DISEASE

Objective: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), Forestier's disease, is a systemic disease characterized by the abnormal ossification and calcification of the paravertebral ligaments and muscles in front of the vertebral bodies. It rarely causes clinical symptoms but sometimes produces dysphagia. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the anterior cervical approach in patients with Forestier's disease who suffer from dysphagia.Material and Method: In this series, a retrospective analysis was performed on five patients referred to our clinic with dysphagia. Clinical, demographic, and surgical features were evaluated.Result: All of the cases were male. Their mean age was 63.6 (range 56-69). The involved regions were C3-4; C2-3; C6-7; C3-7; C3-D3. All the patients who have dysphagia were treated via the anterolateral cervical approach. There were no neurological deficits or complaints postoperatively. All the patients stated that they benefited from surgery.Conclusion: Osteophyte resection by an anterolateral cervical approach is a safe and effective treatment option for dysphagia in Forestier's disease.