Dysphagia Caused by Cervical Plate Erosion through the Hypopharynx

A 53-year-old woman with a history of neurofibromatosis, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and C3–T2 fusion 4 years prior for swan-neck cervical deformity was admitted for evaluation of left frontal skull mass and progressively worsening dysphagia of solid foods and thick liquids over 6 weeks. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen, pelvis, and lumbothoracic spine showed multiple hypodense liver lesions and diffuse sclerotic bone lesions within the thoracic and lumbar spine, ribs, sacrum, and ischium suspicious for metastatic malignancy. Fine-needle aspiration of the liver lesions yielded immunochemistry positive for focal CA 19-9 staining suggestive of adenocarcinoma of upper gastrointestinal (GI) origin. Serum CEA and CA 19-9 were within normal limits. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy did not reveal an upper GI tumor; however, a metal object was seen in the hypopharynx just above the upper esophageal sphincter (Figure 1). It appeared to be fixed and could not be moved with grasping forceps. The adult gastroscope could not be advanced beyond the object; however, the ultraslim could. A sagittal CT view of the neck with contrast showed the offset of the anterior cervical internal fusion plate with direct communication to the hypopharyngeal airway and suggesting erosion through the posterior hypopharyngeal soft tissue (Figure 2). Given the patient’s multiple comorbidities and presumably metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, neurosurgery service recommended medical management rather than surgical management. A 6-week course of intravenous ertapenem was initiated due to the high risk of abscess formation. The patient underwent gastric tube placement for feeding and was eventually discharged under hospice care