An unusual and rare cause of acute airway obstruction in the elderly: Forestier's disease.

BACKGROUND

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), also known as Forestier's disease, is an ossifying disease of unknown etiology affecting mainly elderly men. It is characterized by hypertrophic anterior vertebral osteophytes with ossification of the spinal anterior longitudinal ligament. Hypertrophic osteophytes can encroach on the aerodigestive tract, leading to significant swallowing and respiratory symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

Acute stridor and respiratory compromise requiring a surgical airway have rarely been reported in patients with DISH. This entity, although rare, should be in the differential diagnosis of acute airway obstruction, particularly in the elderly.

CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a 91-year-old patient who was transferred to the Emergency Department at Tufts Medical Center with acute stridor. A computed tomography scan of the neck prior to transfer revealed a large anterior cervical osteophyte causing significant airway narrowing. Fiberoptic evaluation confirmed the radiologic finding of near-complete airway obstruction. The patient's respiratory status rapidly deteriorated and he subsequently underwent an emergent awake tracheostomy to secure his airway.

CONCLUSION

Given the rarity of DISH and the increase in life expectancy, clinicians should be aware of this disease entity and its potential for acute life-threatening respiratory presentation.