ABSTRACT

Dysphagia having multifactorial etiologies is a frequent complaint in otolaryngological practice. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis syndrome (DISH) is a rare cause of dysphagia. It is also known as Forestier’s disease or vertebral ankylosing hyperostosis. The actual pathology of DISH is the calcification of perivertebral anterolateral ligament. It was first described by Forestier and Rotes-Querol in 1950. The primary diagnosis is radiological and its etiology has not been exactly identified. The most common symptoms are neck pain, limitation of movement, and dysphagia, yet, aspiration, dyspnea, and laryngeal stridor may also be seen rarely. We present a 45 yearsold female patient admitted only for dysphagia and aspiration whose complaints were completely revealed after treatment.

Keywords: Dysphagia, DISH, Diffuse idiopathic sceletal hyperosteosis, Forestier’s disease