Cervical Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy

A disorder characterized by cervical osteophytes.

This disorder occurs in 20 to 30% of the general population, most frequently in the elderly. However, osteophyte-induced dysphagia occurs rarely, most often in persons with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, involving at least four contiguous vertebrae with minimal degenerative disk disease and no apophyseal joint ankylosis. Cervical osteophyte-induced dysphagia occurs when the osteophyte is extraordinarily large or when periesophagitis occurs from rapid expansion of the osteophyte; it can also occur in the cricoid cartilage region (C6), where the esophagus is relatively immobile.

Cervical hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is diagnosed by x-ray. Treatment can include dietary modification (altering meal composition to include softer foods) and surgical intervention.