“Lump In The Throat”: Approach To Patient, Differential Diagnosis And Management

Abstract

Feeling of lump in the throat is a common reason for referral of patients to the oto-rhinolaryngology and head and neck clinic. The impression of the referring physician notwithstanding, the onus is on the otorhinolaryngologist to objectively evaluate every patient and manage as appropriate. This review is a summary of scientific information search outcome from Medline bibliographic database, published scholarly references, abstracts and/or full texts of articles and textbooks. The focus is on clinical approach to the patient, differential diagnoses and management options, and the search terms were globus pharyngeus, lump in the throat, laryngopharyngeal reflux. In the present paper, we highlight a useful working guide for history taking, physical examination, investigation and management of a patient with complaint of lump in the throat.