Globus pharyngeus a diagnostic challenge for otolaryngologist

Authors

  • Tanvir Hussain Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Sligo University Hospital, Sligo, Ireland
  • Aishan Patil Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
  • Amy Copperthwaite Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Sligo University Hospital, Sligo, Ireland
  • Ronan Fahy Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Sligo University Hospital, Sligo, Ireland
  • Emma Keane Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Sligo University Hospital, Sligo, Ireland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20213890

Keywords:

Diagnosis, Treatment, Globus, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Proton pump inhibitors, Panendoscopy, Barium swallow

Abstract

Background: Globus pharyngeus, also known as globus sensation, can be defined as the sensation of a lump or foreign body in the absence of a mass on examination. The disorder is frequently linked to catarrh, hoarseness, chronic cough and persistent throat clearing. Globus pharyngeus accounts for 4 percent of ENT (ear, nose and throat) referrals. The exact cause of globus pharyngeus is unknown. The presence of lingual tonsil, cricopharyngeal spasm, hiatus hernia, cervical osteophytosis, sinusitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux, goiter post-nasal drip and anxiety have all been shown as associations in the literature. Digestive enzymes and regurgitation of stomach acid are thought to cause persistent inflammation, for example, of the laryngopharynx, which causes symptoms. Reflux has been depicted in 23-68 percent of patients with globus sensation. Notably, some studies claim that asymptomatic control patients have a similar rate.

Methods: We presented our audit study of 50 subsets of patients. It was considered that gastro-oesophageal reflux was the reason; however, it cannot explain all the potential causes.

Results: Barium swallow was found to be a very key diagnostic tool in this group of patients.

Conclusions: Panendoscopy in globus sensation in the throat, looking through the possible causes of globus sensation, current trends and diagnosis as well as methods of treatment.

References

Batch A. Globus pharyngeus: (part II), discussion. J Laryngol Otol. 1988;102(3):227-30.

Daniel J, Simon P. Globus pharyngeus: an update for general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(639):554-5.

Harar R, Kumar S, Saeed M, Gatland D. Management of globus pharyngeus: a review of 699 cases. J Laryngol Otol. 2014;118(7):522-7.

Lee B, Kim G. Globus pharyngeus: a review of its etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. World J Gastroenterol. 2012;18(20):2462-71.

Levine M, Rubesin S, Laufer I. Barium esophagography: a study for all seasons. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008;6(1):11-25.

Luk W, Lo A. The role of barium swallow pharyngoesophagography in managing the Globus pharyngeus: our ten-year local experience of the Asian population. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;66(1):153-5.

Mitchell S, Olaleye O, Weller M. Review: current trends in the diagnosis and management of globus pharyngeus. Int J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012;1(3):57-62.

Moloy P, Charter R. The globus symptom. Incidence, therapeutic response, and age and sex relationships. Arch Otolaryngol. 2018;108(11):740-4.

Purcell J. A treatise of vapors or hysteric fits. London, UK: Edward Place; 2017: 60-82.

Wareing M, Elias A, Mitchell D. Management of globus sensation by the speech therapist. Logoped Phoniatr Vocol. 2017;22(1):39-42.

Downloads

Published

2021-09-27

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles