Dysphagia, hoarseness, and a hypopharyngeal mass.

ABSTRACT

We describe a patient who developed a hypopharyngeal mass (in the setting of a cervical osteophyte) while taking clopidogrel and aspirin for coronary artery disease. He had a 2-month history of progressive dysphagia and hoarseness. Physical examination and computed tomography scan revealed a soft tissue retropharyngeal mass of unclear etiology yet with a stable airway. He was admitted to the intensive care unit for a 48-hour clopidogrel washout followed by surgery. A hematoma and cervical osteophyte were removed with scant bleeding. This case report emphasizes the need to consider the medication history of a patient when assessing the cause of an otherwise unexpected finding.