Forestier's disease presenting with dysphagia and dysphonia

Abstract

Forestier's disease, also known as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), is a pathology of the vertebral bodies characterised by exuberant osteophyte formation. Symptoms range from negligible back discomfort to, less commonly, debilitating dysphagia and airway disturbances. Conservative management including analgesia, chiropractic and diet modification are common and effective treatments. However, when conservative management fails to alleviate symptoms, particularly compressive symptoms, surgical management is indicated. We report a 55-year-old man presenting with 6months' progressive dysphagia and dysphonia. He was managed successfully with an anterior cervical osteophytectomy without fusion. A literature review is included.