Ann Rehabil Med.  2013 Oct;37(5):717-720. 10.5535/arm.2013.37.5.717.

Anterior Cervical Osteophytes Causing Dysphagia and Paradoxical Vocal Cord Motion Leading to Dyspnea and Dysphonia

• Seo JW
• Park JW
• Jang JC
• Kim JW
• Lee YG
• Kim YT
• Lee SM

• KMID: 2266591
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2013.37.5.717

Abstract

Anterior cervical osteophytes are common and usually asymptomatic in elderly people. Due to mechanical compressions, inflammations, and tissues swelling of osteophytes, patients may be presented with multiple complications, such as dysphagia, dysphonia, dyspnea, and pulmonary aspiration. Paradoxical vocal cord motion is an uncommon disease characterized by vocal cord adductions during inspiration and/or expiration. This condition can create shortness of breath, wheezing, respiratory stridor or breathy dysphonia. We report a rare case demonstrating combined symptoms of dyspnea, dysphonia as well as dysphagia at the same time in a patient with asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophytes. Moreover, this is the first report demonstrating that anterior osteophytes can be a possible etiological factor for paradoxical vocal cord motion that induces serious respiratory symptoms.

Keyword

Cervical anterior osteophyte; Paradoxical vocal cord motion; Dysphagia

MeSH Terms

Deglutition Disorders*
Dysphonia*
Dyspnea*
Humans
Inflammation
Osteophyte*
Respiratory Sounds
Vocal Cords*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Large anterior osteophytes (arrow) of the C5 and C6 vertebra bodies are demonstrated in the lateral views of the cervical spine X-ray (A) and the computed tomography scan (B). T2-weighted magnetic resonance image (C) shows an anterior extrusion of the C5-6 intervertebral disc (arrow head) and irregular high signal intensity (open arrow) in the retropharyngeal space.

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