The diagnosis and management of globus: a perspective from Ireland

Abstract

Purpose of review: Globus pharyngeus is a common condition of unknown cause, with no 'current opinion' on the optimum investigation and treatment. As such, the scope of this article is to review the current literature and to describe, from an Irish perspective, the current best practice on the management of globus.

Recent findings: The globus sensation has gained an updated definition to include duration, with or without other associated symptoms. Recent papers discuss the ongoing debate as to the optimum workup and management of patients with globus, highlighting the few patients presenting with hypopharyngeal tumours, with globus as one of their presenting symptoms. There still remains no reliable diagnostic test or treatment modality for the condition and randomized controlled trials are still lacking in the literature.

Summary: Owing to its unknown cause, current radiological techniques used in the diagnosis of globus remain unhelpful, as do the majority of treatment modalities. Some potential new avenues for exploration hold some hope for the future. There is a lack of current literature advancing our knowledge of the condition.