Anterior cervical osteophyte-related dysphagia in a long-term growth hormone user: a case report.
Clinicians should consider screening for dysphagia in patients with cervical spondylosis and inquire about anabolic substance use, as it may be relevant to their condition.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the sermorelin corpusSummary and findings
This case report describes a 62-year-old male with cervicalgia and left shoulder pain, who had a prominent anterior osteophyte at C3-C4 causing esophageal compression. The patient reported approximately 20 years of exogenous growth hormone and GH secretagogue use, including sermorelin. No objective swallowing evaluation was performed due to the mild, intermittent nature of his dysphagia symptoms.
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>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.<h4>Case description</h4>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.<h4>Conclusion</h4>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.
Background
The paper addresses the potential complications associated with long-term growth hormone therapy, specifically focusing on dysphagia due to anterior cervical osteophytes. Prior literature has indicated various side effects of growth hormone use, but specific cases of dysphagia have not been extensively documented. This study is significant as it highlights a potential adverse effect that may arise from prolonged growth hormone therapy.
Methods
Not reported in abstract.
Results
Not reported in abstract.
Interpretation
The findings, while potentially relevant, are limited by the case report design, which does not allow for broader conclusions about the prevalence or causative factors of dysphagia in growth hormone users. Without comparative data or a larger sample size, the clinical significance of the reported case remains unclear.
Key findings
- Not reported in abstract.
Limitations
- Case report with limited generalizability
- No numeric findings reported
- Lack of detailed methodology