UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Airway Management

Title: DISH

Keywords: spine, back pain, osteophyte (PubMed Search)

Posted: 5/11/2013 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 5/3/2024)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis

aka 1) ankylosing hyperostosis, 2) Vertebral osteophytosis

Large amount of osteophyte formation in the spine, confluent, spanning 3 or more disks

Most commonly seen in the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine.

Osteophytes follow the course of the anterior longitudinal ligaments.

2:1 male to female ratio. Most patients >60yo.

Sx's: Longstanding morning and evening spine stiffness.

PE: Spinal stiffness with flexion and extension.

Dx: plain films

Tx: NSAIDs and physical therapy

http://www.learningradiology.com/caseofweek/caseoftheweekpix2013%20538-/cow542-1arr.jpg