Prolonged Dysphagia due to a Combination of Cerebral Hemorrhage and Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis: A Case Report

A 79-year-old man was diagnosed with left thalamic hemorrhage. On admission, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor score was 13 points, and the Food Intake Level Scale (FILS) was Level 2, with the patient needing enteral nutrition. Six months after stroke onset, the FIM motor score had improved to 38 points and the dysphagia to FILS Level 7. The patient was able to ingest easy-to-swallow food orally three times a day, but only after postural adjustment with rotation of the head. Seven months after stroke onset, the FIM motor score had reached 45 points but without further improvement in swallowing function. Videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation (VF) revealed that the persistence of dysphagia was due to osteophytes on the cervical vertebrae caused by diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. On surgical removal of the osteophytes, swallowing function improved to FILS Level 9; the patient was able to ingest normal food in a seated position without postural adjustment. One year after stroke onset, the patient was discharged with an FIM motor score of 59 points and FILS Level 9. At the 2-year follow-up, there was minimal recurrence of the osteophytes, and both motor and swallowing functions were maintained at the same level as at discharge. This case suggests that dysphagia in elderly patients may be due to multiple disorders, and that surgical intervention may occasionally be effective.