Globus discomfort (synonyms: Globus sensation; globus syndrome; globus hystericus; globus pharyngis; tightness in the throat; lump sensation; ICD-10-GM F45.8: Other somatoform disorders) manifests as a permanent food-independent lump sensation or foreign body sensation in the throat or pharynx. Empty swallowing or swallowing of saliva is experienced as unpleasant, sometimes painful. The word “globus” comes from Latin and means “ball, lump”.
Globus complaints are among the common complaints with which patients come to an ear, nose and throat practice. They can be a symptom of many diseases in the area of the throat, larynx, pharynx, but also of the upper gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract) (see under “Differential diagnoses”).
With regard to the causes, a distinction is made between organic and functional disorders or impairments. If no somatic (physical) cause can be found, the complaint is psychogenic in nature. One speaks then of a globus pharyngis, outdated globus hystericus.
Sex ratio: Men and women are affected equally often.
Frequency peak: The disease occurs predominantly in middle age.
Course and prognosis: Course and prognosis depend on the cause of the disease. Medical clarification is required. Globus symptoms are often found to be threatening by patients, as they are quickly associated with respiratory and feeding impairments. If morphologic changes are found to be the cause, their dignity (whether they are benign (benign) or malignant (malignant)) must be assessed.
The prognosis is less good if no organic cause for the symptoms can be found or if the cause remains entirely unexplained.
