What this means
Anterior cervical osteophytes can compress the esophagus, producing dysphagia. Although common on imaging in older adults, symptomatic osteophytic dysphagia is underdiagnosed, and the role of systemic anabolic factors in osteophyte growth is poorly characterized.
A plain-English summary is on its way. Until then, this is the start of the authors' own summary.
- Who it was tested in
- Not stated
- Kind of research
- A study
The science
- Original title
- Anterior cervical osteophyte-related dysphagia in a long-term growth hormone user: a case report.
- Authors
- Perez SL, Martinez L, Rosselli M et al.
- Journal
- Frontiers in surgery
- Published
- Jul 17, 2026
- Study type
- Study
- PMID
- 42465868 ↗
Abstract
Background
Anterior cervical osteophytes can compress the esophagus, producing dysphagia. Although common on imaging in older adults, symptomatic osteophytic dysphagia is underdiagnosed, and the role of systemic anabolic factors in osteophyte growth is poorly characterized.
What they found
This case raises the hypothesis that chronic GH axis stimulation, in combination with remote cervical trauma, may contribute to clinically significant osteophyte formation. Conservative management was initiated with dietary modification and counseling regarding GH cessation. Clinicians should screen for dysphagia in patients with cervical spondylosis and inquire about anabolic substance use as a potentially relevant history.
Other details
A 62-year-old male ex-military recreational bodybuilder presented with cervicalgia and left shoulder pain. Cervical radiographs and MRI demonstrated multilevel degenerative changes including a prominent anterior osteophyte at C3-C4 with esophageal compression. On directed questioning, he reported intermittent dysphagia with larger food boluses. He reported a cervical injury during jiu-jitsu training in 2001-2002 and disclosed approximately 20 years of patient-reported exogenous growth hormone (GH) and GH secretagogue use, including cyclical somatropin, sermorelin/GHRP-6 combination therapy, and ongoing nightly somatropin. No objective swallowing evaluation was performed given the mild, intermittent nature of symptoms.
The authors' abstract, grouped under plain headings from its own section labels.
Perez SL, Martinez L, Rosselli M et al. Anterior cervical osteophyte-related dysphagia in a long-term growth hormone user: a case report. Frontiers in surgery. 2026. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2026.1859548. PMID: 42465868. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42465868/
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