Dysphagia and dysphonia secondary to anterior cervical osteophytes.

A 77-year-old man presented with a 4-year history of progressive dysphagia to the point that he could no longer swallow solid foods. During the past several months, he had developed dysphonia. Cervical spine x-ray films demonstrated massive anterior degenerative osteophytic spurs between C-3 and C-7. Evaluation with barium swallow and cervical computed tomography demonstrated esophageal and laryngeal compression. Resection of the anterior osteophytes resolved the dysphagia and dysphonia.