Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a common disease in which tendons and capsules are subject to calcification leading to hyperostosis and functional impairment. Diagnosis of DISH is established by the presence of both spinal and extra-spinal radiographic characteristics. Typical appearance of the cervical spine includes irregular and pointed osseous osteophytic appositions of the superior and inferior vertebral margin.

Large anterior osteophytes of the cervical spine are common in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and 17% of patients with DISH have been reported to describe some levels of dysphagia.

In this case report, we describe a surgically treated 88-year-old man who presented with dysphagia and painful swallowing caused by a huge anterior cervical osteophyte due to DISH. The osteophyte was removed surgically and dysphagia resolved immediately.

Keywords: DISH, osteophyte, cervical, dysphagia