Author/Authors :
Lee, Jae Jun Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine - Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon , Hong, Ji Young Department of Internal Medicine - Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon , Jung, Jun Han Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine - Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital - Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul , Yang, Jun Hyeok Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine - Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital - Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul , Sohn, Jun-Young Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine - Gangneung Asan Medical Center - University of Ulsan College of Medicine - Gangneung, Korea
Abstract :
A 74-year-old man presented with recurrent vomiting and aspiration pneumonia in the left lower lobe. He entered the intensive care
unit to manage the pneumonia and septic shock. Although a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube was implanted for recurrent vomiting, vomiting and aspiration recurred frequently during admission. Subsequently, he complained of neck pain when in an
upright position. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study showed compression of the esophagus by cervical osteophytes and tracheal
aspiration caused by an abnormality at the laryngeal inlet. Cervical spine X-rays and computed tomography showed anterior cervical
osteophytes at the C3-6 levels. Surgical decompression was scheduled, but was cancelled due to his frailty. Unfortunately, further recurrent vomiting and aspiration resulted in respiratory arrest leading to hypoxic brain damage and death. Physicians should consider
cervical spine disease, such as diffuse skeletal hyperostosis as an uncommon cause of recurrent aspiration pneumonia.
Keywords :
hyperostosis , pneumonia , aspiration , vomiting
