AN ETIOLOGIC ASPECT OF ABNORMAL SENSATION OF THE THROAT

• Published in: JIBI INKOKA TEMBO Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 539 - 545,526
• Main Author: INOUE, Tetsuzo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Society of Oto-rhino-laryngology Tokyo 1978
• ISSN: 0386-9687; 1883-6429
• DOI: 10.11453/orltokyo1958.21.539

So-called abnormal sensation of the throat is a symptom complex of the pharynx, larynx and esophagus. Such patients complain of feeling of a ball, a bar or other material stuck in their throats. The symptoms are often aggravated by swalloing and disappear on concentration, deglutition or speaking. The patient often worries about if he might have a cancer or some other serious disease (carcinophobia). These symptoms entirely depend upon the afferent action of sensory fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve, vagus nerve or trigeminal nerve. Polysynaptic action of afferent fibers have a great role in the sensation of the throat. The distribution and action of allied nerves are also discussed. Certain laboratory tests are necessary to rule out organic pathology, such as carcinoma, inflammatory changes, benign neoplasms and others. X-ray fluoroscopy is the best examination to make adequate differential diagnosis in the pharynx, hypopharynx and esophagus. The followings are to be carefully observed during fluoroscopy, 1. interrupted or not of peristalsis of esophageal walls, 2. irregularity or smoothness of the contour of esophagaleal walls, 3. contraction and relaxation of action of cardia, 4. periesophageal compresseion, Endoscopic examination is another important procedure to be performed to rule out organic diseases.