Lump in the Throat Sensation – a Clinico- Aetiological Study in 100 Patients

Background: Present study is a prospective study to evaluate clinical and etiological features associated with the sensation of lump in the throat, in patients who attended OPD of ENT dept: of Govt: Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, during August 2012 to August 2013. Various etiologies were found after doing investigations like Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy, Flexible Video laryngoscopy, X ray PNS, X-ray soft tissue neck, Gastroenterology and Psychiatry evaluation etc. Patients were treated essentially with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and antidepressants / anxiolytics along with other measures. All patients were followed up to 6 months. Objective : To find out clinical features and causes of lump in throat sensation. Materials And Methods: Hundred patients who attended OPD with complaints of lump in the throat sensation were selected for study. All were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination and investigations like Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy, Video laryngoscopy, X-PNS, Barium swallow, X-Ray soft tissue neck – lateral view, Thyroid function tests. Gastro enterology and Psychiatric evaluation was also done. Patient selection criteria is as follows. Inclusion criteria. Age between 20 and 60 years of either sex, [2] No previous treatment for the same complaints. Exclusion criteria. Patients with malignancies of oropharynx, oral cavity, esophagus and stomach. Results: Maximum incidence of lump in the throat sensation, in this study, was found in the age group of 31 40 years, followed by an age group of 41 50 years.