Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis - cervical spine

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Chronic neck pain.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male

Thick flowing anterior osteophytes along the anterior aspects of C3 to C7 with ankylosis from C3 to C6. intervertebral disc height is preserved with minor narrowing posteriorly C4-5. No facet arthropathy. No focal osseous lesion. Normal prevertebral soft tissues.

Case Discussion

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a common and usually incidental finding. It's unclear whether these changes are the cause of the patient's neck pain. 

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