DYSPHAGIA: AN INFREQUENT SYMPTOM OF DIFFUSE IDIOPATHIC SKELETAL HYPEROSTOSIS

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a disorder of unknown aetiology characterised by exuberant hyperostosis of the spinal column, that occasionally leads to bone ankylosis and ossification of extra-spinal entheses. Associations with systemic conditions including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperinsulinaemia, dyslipidaemia and hyperuricaemia have been reported. The thoracic spine is typically involved in DISH followed by thoracolumbar and cervical involvement. Herein, we present a 63-year-old woman with cervicothoracic spine involvement leading to pharyngeal impingement and dysphagia. Clinicians should be aware of this rare clinical manifestation of DISH of the cervical spine and patients should be informed about and followed up for dysphagia.