GLOBUS SENSATION AND GASTROESOPHAGEAL EQU IVALENTS

Globus sensation is a phenomenon of largely unknown etiology. Dyskines ia of the upper esophageal sphincter is quite often evident without pa thological ENT findings elsewhere. Patients and method: One hundred te n patients were examined in a interdisciplinary approach. The investig ation included videofluoroscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biops y, pharyngoesophageal computer manometry, and esophageal pH monitoring . One hundred five cases were evaluated. Results: In 13 cases (12.4%) there was no evidence for any organic or functional disorder. In 92 ca ses (87.6%) abnormal findings were seen with two constellations being predominant. These are primarily inflammatory lesions in the stomach o r the duodenum in 69.5% of all patients (73/105) associated with helic obacter pylori colonization in 58% (42/73) as well as ulcera and/or er osions in 8.2% (6/73). Concurrent disorders of the lower esophageal sp hincter play the second role. Sixty-one point nine percent of all pati ents (65/105) had an hiatal hernia, with gastroeosphageal reflux in 36 .9% (24/65). In 21.5% (14/65) a reflux esophagitis was evident. A card iac sphincter insufficiency was found in 6.7% (7/105). Conclusion: Bas ed on these findings a gastroenterologic diagnosis is recommended in a ll patients with globus sensation as the symptom may be associated wit h corresponding disorders.