Urgent Anterior Cervical Osteophytectomy for an Asymptomatic Cervical Hyperostosis to Overcome Failed Intubation

Abstract

Cervical spondylosis and ankylosing hyperostosis of the cervical vertebrae are usually asymptomatic. This is a case report of a patient with massive anterior cervical osteophytes resulting in failure of intubation prior to a lumbar canal stenosis surgery. The osteophytes extended from C3 to C7 and resulted in the anterior displacement of the pharynx and the trachea. The patient was managed successfully with anterior cervical osteophytectomy.