12/14/2021
Globus Sensation, which is a symptom of reflux, GERD, and or LPR is becoming more and more common. Check out this post for more information and how we can help with treatment if you are experiencing this!
Let's talk globus sensation. Globus sensation (aka globus pharyngeus) is the sensation of having a lump in the throat.
Globus sensation can have many causes ranging from laryngopharyngeal reflux or GERD, pharyngeal inflammation, UES dysfunction, foreign objects, tumors, thyroid disease, chronic sinusitis, Eagle's syndrome, cervical osteophytes, depression, anxiety, and more.
Because of the variety of causes of globus sensation, imaging is absolutely essential in the differential diagnosis process. FEES is ideal for this imaging because of the ability to fully visualize the pharyngeal mucosa and structures in full color.
In this case, the patient presented with a chronic cough and globus sensation and the treating SLP placed them on honey thick liquids without an instrumental because that SLP was absolutely sure the patient was "aspirating on everything, including their saliva". Therapy was initiated based on the clinical swallow evaluation and a FEES was ordered months later to determine whether a liquid upgrade could occur.
The FEES found a perfectly intact, normal swallow and this benign submucous cyst (as dx by an ENT later) which was the source of the chronic cough and globus sensation. An outpatient ENT visit resulted in the removal of the cyst and the patient's symptoms immediately disappeared. Swallowing was NEVER this patient's problem.
With increased access to FEES across the country, it's time for us to and stop making guesses at the bedside. We truly cannot treat what we cannot see.
If you're interested in learning more about FEES, visit our website at https://www.northlaswallowsolutions.com.
