Medicine:Globus pharyngis
| Globus pharyngis | |
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| Other names | Globus pharyngeus, globus sensation, globus, globus hystericus, lump in one's throat |
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| Specialty | ENT surgery |
Globus pharyngis or globus sensation is the persistent but painless sensation of having a pill, food bolus, or some other sort of obstruction in the throat when there is none. Swallowing is typically performed normally, so it is not a true case of dysphagia, but it can become quite irritating. It is common, with 22–45% of people experiencing it at least once in their lifetime.[1][2]
Causes
The "lump in the throat" sensation that characterizes globus pharyngis is often caused by inflammation of one or more parts of the throat, such as the larynx or hypopharynx, due to cricopharyngeal spasm, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), laryngopharyngeal reflux or esophageal versatility.[3][failed verification] In some cases the cause is unknown and symptoms may be attributed to a psychogenic cause i.e. a somatoform or anxiety disorder. It has been recognised as a symptom of depression, which responds to anti-depressive treatment.[4][5]
The results of recent studies have strongly suggested that GERD is a major cause of globus, though this remains under considerable debate.[6]
A less common cause, distinguished by a "lump in the throat" accompanied with clicking sensation and considerable pain when swallowing, may be due to thyroid-cartilage rubbing against anomalous asymmetrical laryngeal anatomy e.g. the superior cornu abrading against the thyroid lamina,[7][8] surgically trimming the offending thyroid-cartilage provides immediate relief in all cases.[3] However this cause is frequently misdiagnosed, despite requiring a simple clinical examination involving careful palpation of the neck side to side which elicits the same click sensation (laryngeal crepitus) and pain as when swallowing, most cases are due to prior trauma to the neck.[3] High resolution computed tomographic (CT) or MRI scan of the larynx is usually required to fully understand the anomalous laryngeal anatomy. Anterior displacement of the thyroid ala on the affected side while swallowing can help resolve symptoms.[citation needed]
Diagnosis
As globus sensation is a symptom, a diagnosis of globus pharyngis is typically a diagnosis of exclusion. If globus sensation is presenting with other symptoms such as pain, swallowing disorders such as aspiration or regurgitation (dysphagia), weight loss, or voice change,[9] an organic cause needs to be investigated, typically with endoscopy. Barium swallows are not recommended as a diagnostic tool as although they are less invasive than endoscopy and may be reassuring to the patient, they commonly miss sinister causes. It is very rare that globus sensation presenting with no other symptoms has a sinister cause and therefore endoscopy is not recommended in this case.[9][10]
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis must be made from Eagle syndrome which uses the patient's description of "something caught in my throat" as a diagnostic tool. Eagle syndrome is an elongation of the styloid process causing irritation to nerves and muscles in the region resulting in a number of unusual symptoms.[citation needed]
Management
Reassurance of the patient is recommendable when no cause can be found. If a cause is identified, treat the cause symptomatically or, if possible, systemically.[citation needed]
References
- ↑ Robson, Kristen M; Lembo, Anthony J. "Globus Sensation". https://www.uptodate.com/contents/globus-sensation.
- ↑ "Globus pharyngeus: an update for general practice". The British Journal of General Practice 65 (639): 554–55. October 2015. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X687193. PMID 26412835.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Clicking in the throat: cinematic fiction or surgical fact?". Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery 127 (9): 1129–31. September 2001. doi:10.1001/archotol.127.9.1129. PMID 11556866.
- ↑ "Globus hystericus – a somatic symptom of depression? The role of electroconvulsive therapy and antidepressants". Psychosomatic Medicine 59 (1): 67–69. 1997. doi:10.1097/00006842-199701000-00009. PMID 9021868.
- ↑ "Globus hystericus or depressivus?". Hospital Medicine (London, England : 1998) 59 (8): 640–41. August 1998. PMID 9829059.
- ↑ "Globus pharyngeus: a review of its etiology, diagnosis and treatment". World Journal of Gastroenterology 18 (20): 2462–71. May 2012. doi:10.3748/wjg.v18.i20.2462. PMID 22654443.
- ↑ "Foreign body sensation in the throat due to displacement of the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage: two cases and a literature review". The Journal of Laryngology and Otology 120 (7): 608–09. July 2006. doi:10.1017/S0022215106001125. PMID 16681864.
- ↑ "Odynophagia secondary to variant thyroid cartilage anatomy". Dysphagia 20 (3): 232–34. 2005. doi:10.1007/s00455-005-0012-2. PMID 16362512.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Management of globus pharyngeus". International Journal of Otolaryngology 2013: 946780. 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/946780. PMID 23935629.
- ↑ "Pathophysiology and treatment of patients with globus sensation – from the viewpoint of esophageal motility dysfunction". Journal of Smooth Muscle Research = Nihon Heikatsukin Gakkai Kikanshi 50: 66–77. 2014. doi:10.1540/jsmr.50.66. PMID 26081369.
External links
- "Globus Sensation. Myasthenia gravis and globus information". https://patient.info/doctor/globus-sensation-pro.
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