Globus Sensation at Throat: A Study of Laryngoscopy Findings in 320 Patients

Background: Globus sensation, the feeling of a lump in the throat, is a common clinical presentation with various potential etiologies. This study aimed to investigate the laryngoscopic findings in patients presenting with globus sensation to better understand its underlying causes.  Methods: A prospective study was conducted over two years (January 2021 - December 2023) in a private practice setting. 320 patients complaining of long-term foreign body sensation in the throat underwent rigid rod laryngoscopy. Patients with a history of surgical or oncological intervention to the throat and neck were excluded. Demographic data and laryngoscopic findings were recorded and analyzed.  Results: The study population comprised 226 females (71%) and 94 males (29%), with the majority (31.90%) in the 31-40 years age group. Laryngoscopic examination revealed normal findings in 65.62% of patients. The most common abnormal findings were hypertrophied tongue base (15.62%) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (7.5%). Less common findings included hypopharyngeal mass/ulcer (2.5%), supraglottic mass (1.87%), elongated retroverted epiglottis (1.25%), and large uvula (1.25%).  Conclusions: This study highlights the diverse laryngoscopic presentations associated with globus sensation. While the majority of patients exhibited normal findings, a significant proportion had identifiable abnormalities, particularly hypertrophied tongue base and laryngopharyngeal reflux. These findings underscore the importance of thorough laryngoscopic examination in the evaluation of globus sensation, even when the likelihood of finding a structural cause is low. The results also suggest that globus sensation is often multifactorial, potentially involving a complex interplay of structural, functional, and psychosomatic factors. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying globus sensation, particularly in cases where no structural abnormalities are apparent.