Abstract
The patient was an 85-year-old male. He was urgently brought to the emergency department of our hospital because of impaired consciousness and acute respiratory failure. He underwent endotracheal intubation with a diagnosis of CO2 narcosis and was admitted to the hospital. After he was extubated, dysphagia was found. Videofluorography (VF) was performed and abnormal bone proliferation of the anterior longitudinal ligament was noticed in the lateral view of the neck. Forestier disease was diagnosed.
Our hospital does not have an otolaryngology department or head and neck surgery department. Moreover, our orthopedics department does not treat Forestier disease. Therefore, Forestier disease has not gained wide recognition as a differential diagnosis for respiratory disorder or dysphagia. Patients with Forestier disease commonly visit otolaryngology departments with a complaint of hoarseness or dysphagia. However, since they may be transferred to the emergency department of an acute phase hospital due to acute respiratory failure, Forestier disease should be taken into consideration.
