Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis is characterized by bulky, flowing osteophyte formation spanning at least four contiguous disk spaces. Most commonly affecting the thoracic spine. The disk space is most often well-preserved as are the facet joints and sacriliac joints. This ossification may be associated with osteophytosis elsewhere in the axial and in the appendicular skeleton as well as hyperostosis at the sites of tendon and ligament insertions.

With spine trauma, fractures of the osteophyte can be seen.