Vol.103 No.2 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 103 No. 2 February 2010
Surgical Treatment for Dysphagia Due to Forestier's Disease
Masamitsu Hyodo, Kaori Nishikubo and Sekitatsu Soh
(Kochi University)
Kazumi Motoyoshi
(Ehime University)
Forestier's disease is characterized by ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine and predominantly affects senile men. Its pharyngolaryngeal symptoms include dysphagia especially for solids, foreign-body sensation, dyspnea, or hoarseness. We present herein two cases of Forestier's disease which were successfully treated with surgical intervention. A 65-year-old male with past histories of cerebrovascular infarction and aspiration pneumonia underwent surgical removal of massive cervical osteophytes via the anterolateral approach. Oral food intake was restored postoperatively. A 62-year-old male with Parkinson's disease complained of progressive dysphagia. He underwent removal of cervical ossification combined with a unilateral cricopharyngeal myotomy because the videofluorographic findings showed insufficient opening of the upper esophageal sphincter. The causes and therapeutic management of this disease entity are discussed.
Key words :dysphagia, Forestier's disease, surgical intervention, cervical osteophyte, cricopharyngeal myotomy