Acute Onset Dysphagia Secondary To Cervical Injury In A Young Male – A Case Report

Abstract

Dysphagia may have oropharyngeal or esophageal causes. Extrinsic compression of oesophagus or intraluminal abnormalities in the esophagus can cause dysphagia. Anatomic causes of dysphagia are tumors, abscesses, and cervical bony outgrowths (osteophytes). Anterior cervical osteophytes can rarely cause dysphagia due to mechanical compression and inflammatory reactions in the tissues around the esophagus. For this reason Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might have a role in improving patient symptomatology. We present a case of a young man with cervical osteophytes presenting with an acute onset of dysphagia following mechanical injury to the neck that improved rapidly with non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. The report is discussed with a review of relevant literature.