Giant Fibrovascular Polyp as an Unusual Cause of Globus Pharyngeus.

Differential diagnosis of globus sensation in an otherwise asymptomatic patient should include hypopharyngeal fibrovascular polyp to avoid potentially fatal complications like airway compromise following regurgitation. We present a case of a 74-year-old man with a 13-cm long hypopharyngeal fibrovascular polyp with 9 months history of globus sensation. A narrow stalk of the giant polyp allowed endoscopic removal and complete resection with the CO2 laser. Histopathological examination was conclusive for the fibrovascular polyp.

Clinical and psychological characteristics of patients with globus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Psychological factors are involved in many functional gastrointestinal disorders including globus. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and psychological correlates associated with globus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 707 patients (69% female, 45.2 ± 16.5 years, BMI 27.2 ± 11.7 kg/m2) filled an MMPI-2 questionnaire and a standard Rome III clinical questionnaire and were included in this cross sectional study. Data analysis was performed using a univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression with a backwards selection procedure on significant scales after a univariate analysis. RESULTS: 140 patients (20%) reported suffering from globus. Globus appeared to be associated with older age (P = 0.001; OR = 1.022; 95% CI = [1.009-1.035]), increased BMI (P = 0.007; OR = 1.029; 95% CI = [1.008-1.051]), higher prevalence of regurgitations (P = 0.008; OR = 2.189; 95% CI = [1.228-3.902]), heartburn (P = 0.001 OR = 2.227; 95% CI = [1.406-3.530]), dysphagia (P < 0.001; OR = 2.399; 95% CI = [1.500-3.837]), epigastric pain (P < 0.001; OR = 3.768; 95% CI = [1.880-7.552]) and nonspecific dyspepsia (P = 0.018; OR = 1.786; 95% CI = [1.106-2.881]), and a higher score of hysteria (P = 0.008 OR = 1.034; 95% CI = [1.009-1.059]). By comparison with patients who reported globus and scores of hysteria in the normal range (n = 73), patients complaining of globus associated with high scores of hysteria (n = 67) have high scores of hypochondriasis (P < 0.001; OR = 1.235; 95% CI = [1.142-1.336]), high levels of Psychopathic deviate (P = 0.005; OR = 1.091; 95% CI = [1.026-1.161]) and a higher, but not significant, prevalence of complaints of regurgitation (P = 0.052; OR = 4.022; 95% CI = [0.989-16.351]). CONCLUSION: Approximately 50% of the patients complaining of globus have a high score of hysteria associated with other personality disorders, and complain more frequently of regurgitation than other patients complaining of globus. These results tend to confirm that globus has a strong, although not systematic, connections with some specific personality disorders.

Symptom relief and health-related quality of life in globus patients: a prospective study.

Globus may be a persistent symptom impairing patients' quality of life. Diagnostics and treatment are controversial but some globus patients may benefit from reassurance and attention. We investigated how globus symptoms change during a short-term follow-up without any treatment after an examination by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician and further diagnostic procedures. We also surveyed whether patients with persistent globus suffer from simultaneous voice problems. The study comprised 30 consecutive globus patients referred to Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. We performed an ENT examination and scored patients' videolaryngostroboscopies using the Reflux Finding Score (RFS). Patients filled in three questionnaires: the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), the Deglutition Handicap Index (DHI) and the 15-Dimensional Measure of Health-Related Quality of Life (15-D HRQoL). Patients underwent transnasal esophagoscopy, high-resolution manometry, and 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring. After a four-month follow-up, patients re-answered the same questionnaires and a speech and language pathologist (SLP) examined the patients. Baseline and follow-up questionnaires were available from 27 (90%) patients. According to the RSI (p = .001) and the DHI (p = .003), patients' symptoms diminished after four months. The 15-D showed improvement in one subscale measuring discomfort and symptoms (p = .023). The SLP examined 23 (77%) patients, finding functional voice problems in six (26%). The study showed that most globus patients felt their symptoms diminished without any treatment during four months. In some patients, coexisting voice problems may be associated with persistent globus.