Adult-onset lymphatic malformations arising at the postcricoid, a subsite of the hypopharynx, are sporadic. Only one case has been previously reported. In this study, we presented a 36-year-old female presented with globus sensation, dysphagia, and upper airway obstruction, requiring a tracheostomy. A computed tomography scan identified a 5 cm × 4.5 cm × 3 cm multilocular hypodense lesion in the postcricoid. Due to its considerable size, complete resection with function preservation was crucial, and a standard microscopic direct laryngoscopy approach may result in inadequate exposure, while an open transcervical approach may affect functional outcomes and increase surgical complications. We successfully performed an en bloc resection with a transoral endoscopic approach, using laryngeal suspension and a laparoscopic ultrasonic scalpel to preserve aerodigestive functions, ensure rapid recovery, and avoid neck scarring. The patient was decannulated within 2 weeks and remained disease-free after 1 year. The reported cases of adult-onset lymphatic malformations at the postcricoid and hypopharynx were reviewed and summarized for educational purposes.

Postcricoid neurofibroma is an extremely rare hypopharynx tumor that can be challenging in both diagnosis and treatment. This case sheds light on the possibility of treatment with transoral microsurgery before pursuing open cervical incisions.

: A 43-year-old man presented with a four months history of a persistent foreign body sensation and mild dysphagia. Indirect and direct laryngoscopy at admission revealed a round and smooth submucosal mass in the postcricoid region.

A laryngeal enhanced computed tomography and laryngoscopy suggested that the tumor located in hypopharynx, with clear boundary and slightly strengthened edge. A supporting laryngoscopy surgery was performed under general anesthesia and a biopsy confirmed solitary neurofibroma of the postcricoid region.

The tumor was successfully resected en bloc transorally through supporting laryngoscope, and obviated the need for open cervical surgery and tracheostomy.

The patient recovered well without any intraoperative or postoperative complication and was discharged from hospital 2 days after surgery. There was no recurrence after 6 months follow-up.

Postcricoid neurofibroma is an extremely rare hypopharynx tumor that can be diagnostically challenging. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported of solitary neurofibroma originating from the postcricoid region of the hypopharynx and was surgically removed with transoral surgery through supporting laryngoscope.

This is a case of a premature infant with stridor, supplemental oxygen requirement, and dysphagia refractory to anti-reflux and anti-inflammatory medications. Endoscopy revealed postcricoid fullness with MRI showing submucosal lobulations. Microscopic resection of an obstructive postcricoid mass resulted in immediate resolution of stridor and oxygen requirement with mild improvement in dysphagia. Pathology demonstrated submucosal fibrosis, edema, and vascularity with no evidence of malignancy, fibromatosis, or cystic/polypoid components. Review of the literature shows that lesions in postcricoid region include amyloidosis, lymphatic malformation, and normal-variant hypertrophy. Surgery should be considered for atypical postcricoid lesions with symptoms refractory to medical management.

Globus is a topic of interest for many specialties including otorhinolaryngology, gastroenterology and psychiatry/psychosomatic medicine, but, although many hypotheses have been suggested, key questions about its aetiology remain. This Review provides an overview of the extensive literature concerning this topic and discusses the quality of the evidence to date. Globus has been associated with oropharyngeal structural lesions, upper oesophageal sphincter disorders, oesophageal disorders, GERD, psychosocial factors and psychiatric comorbidity. However, findings are often contradictory and the literature remains highly inconclusive. Indeed, with the exception of patients with structural-based globus, the Rome III criteria for functional globus only apply to a subgroup of patients with idiopathic globus. In clinical reality, there exists a group of patients who present with idiopathic (nonstructural) globus, but nevertheless have dysphagia, odynophagia or GERD-exclusion criteria for globus diagnosis according to Rome III. The symptomatology of patients with globus might be broader than previously thought. It is therefore crucial to approach globus not from one single perspective, but from a multifactorial point of view, with focus on the coexistence and/or interactions of different mechanisms in globus pathogenesis. This approach could be translated to clinical practice by adopting a multidisciplinary method to patients presenting with globus.

Globus is a persistent or intermittent non-painful sensation of a lump or foreign body in the throat. It is a commonly encountered clinical condition that is usually long-lasting, difficult to treat, and has a tendency to recur. Furthermore, due to the uncertain etiology of globus, it remains difficult to establish standard investigation and treatment strategies for affected patients. As a first step for managing globus, careful history taking and nasolaryngoscopy are essential. Given the benign nature of the condition and the recent notion that gastroesophageal reflux disease is a major cause of globus, empirical therapy with a high dose of proton pump inhibitors is reasonable for patients with typical globus. If patients are nonresponsive to this therapy, definitive assessments such as endoscopy, multichannel intraluminal impedance/pH monitoring, and manometry should be considered. Speech and language therapy, anti-depressants, and cognitive-behavioral therapy can be helpful in patients whose symptoms persist despite negative investigations.

There is no standard protocol for managing globus pharyngeus. Checking the recent developments in this field regularly is of paramount importance.

The commonest symptoms for which proton pump inhibitors are prescribed are globus (73%), followed by choking episodes (66%) and chronic cough (62%). Opinions remain divided about the role of upper esophageal sphincter hypertonicity in globus sensation. Upper aerodigestive tract malignancy is rare and must be excluded. Hypertrophy of the base of the tongue, heterotopic gastric mucosa, curled epiglottis, thyroid enlargement, rare benign or malignant tumors of the pharynx, excessive tension and Eagle's syndrome are possible causes. Flexible endoscopy is a frequently used examination, but there is a 'blind zone' under any upper aerodigestive tract malignancy, requiring rigid endoscopy for some indications. Barium swallow pharyngoesophagography should not be requested systematically for cancer detection. Dual-probe 24 h pH monitoring can help in the diagnosis of reflux. Impedance recording can be useful for the detection of acidic and nonacidic liquid and mist reflux events. Manometric measurements are consistent. Laryngopharyngeal symptoms, such as throat clearing, hoarseness, cough, and globus pharyngeus, are slower to resolve than esophageal symptoms. Nocturnal recovery of gastric acid secretion was demonstrated even with proton pump inhibitors. The symptoms disappeared with an additional H2 receptor antagonist.

More awareness is required for patients complaining of globus pharyngeus.

Serious lesions presenting as globus syndrome appear to be extremely rare, but many clinicians routinely request barium swallow to exclude these. No data yet exist on the diagnostic yield of contrast radiography. We reviewed 2854 barium swallows from one department over 7 years. The false-positive rate (37%) depended on presenting symptoms and differed between radiology departments, suggesting substantial subjectivity. No serious radiological abnormalities occurred in the estimated 2011 patients with globus syndrome. The 95% confidence interval for the likelihood of finding a significant abnormality on routine barium swallow in a patient with globus symptoms is 0-0.00145. The 2854 barium swallows cost an estimated pounds sterling 685,000 and 0.22-0.48 deaths. As the risk of missing a serious lesion in a patient with globus is very unlikely to exceed one in 700, we support the opinion that barium swallow should be reserved for those with risk factors or atypical features.