This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Globus pharyngeus

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Globus pharyngeus is the term applied to the sensation of a lump or discomfort in the throat. The condition may be due to cricopharyngeal spasm occuring during moment of tension.

  • globus pharyngeus is a descriptive term for the sensation of a lump in the throat and does not imply the diagnosis
  • globus can be caused by a wide range of throat disorders, the most common being laryngopharyngeal reflux (1)

Discomfort may be relieved by eating and there is no interference with the swallowing of foods or liquids. Discomfort may be aggravated by the patient's constant action of swallowing. Also frequent introspection and anxiety seem to make the problem worse.

Note that some patients with globus pharyngeus may be found to have reflux oesophagitis or a gastric ulcer - if discomfort persists then oesophagoscopy is essential.

Reference:

  • Hamilton NJI et al. 10 minute consultation - A lump in the throat: laryngopharyngeal reflux. BMJ 2020;371:m4091 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4091

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.