(A729) Outcomes of Esophageal Dilation in Patients with Dysphagia Secondary to Anterior Cervical Osteophytes

Introduction: Anterior cervical osteophytes can cause dysphagia by mechanically compressing the esophagus, leading to significant swallowing difficulties. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of esophageal dilation as a treatment for dysphagia caused by cervical osteophytes, addressing the gap in the current literature.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of six patients with radiographically confirmed anterior cervical osteophytes causing dysphagia who underwent esophageal dilation at a tertiary-care facility. Patients with other pathologies or causes of dysphagia were excluded. Patient demographics, BMI, comorbidities, radiographic findings, presenting symptoms, procedural details, and outcomes were reviewed. Post-procedure follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 months.

Results: Five patients received one dilation, while one underwent two dilations. No major complications or perforations occurred. Two patients (33%) had minimal superficial mucosal tears noted in operative reports, both of which resolved without intervention. Three patients (50%) reported improvement in swallowing post-dilation, while three (50%) reported no benefit. BMI remained stable or increased in all patients except one, whose weight loss was attributed to concurrent Ozempic use for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. No patients underwent subsequent surgical procedures, such as anterior or posterior cervical fusion (ACDF/PCDF).

Conclusions: Esophageal dilation is a safe intervention for dysphagia caused by anterior cervical osteophytes, with no significant complications reported in this case series. While half of patients experienced symptomatic improvement, further studies with larger populations are needed to explore predictors of efficacy, including the role of cricopharyngeal hypertrophy in these cases. These findings highlight esophageal dilation as a viable, non-surgical treatment option for select patients.