Simultaneous cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament resulting in dysphagia or myelopathy in two geriatric North Americans.

Background: Cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) rarely coexist in the North American population. Here, different surgical strategies were used to manage simultaneous DISH and OPLL resulting in dysphagia or myelopathy in two geriatric patients.

Methods: A 74-year-old male with esophageal compression and dysphagia attributed to DISH, and cord compression with myelopathy due to OPLL, was treated with a cervical laminectomy followed by anterior DISH resection. On the other hand, an 80-year-old male with asymptomatic DISH but moderate myelopathy (Nurick Grade III) secondary to OPLL required only a cervical laminectomy.

Results: In the first patient, dysphagia resolved within 3 months of surgery, while in the second individual, myelopathy improved to Nurick Grade I (mild myelopathy) within 6 months postoperatively. Improvement in both patients was maintained 1 year after surgery.

Conclusions: While DISH and OPLL may coexist in geriatric patients, only those with dysphagia should undergo DISH resection, while others demonstrating myelopathy should have laminectomy alone.