Editor-in-Chief: Alaa Abd-Elsayed, MD, PhD
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BACKGROUND: Globus sensation is a nonpainful sensation of a lump or foreign object stuck in the throat that is not associated with dysphagia. Persistent globus sensation is distressing for patients and often the result of no clear etiology.
CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 71-year-old woman with persistent globus sensation following cervical spine surgery. Initial evaluations for etiology and treatment included hardware removal, endoscopy, pharmacological treatment, botulinum toxin injections, collagen injection laryngoplasty, speech therapy, anesthetic nerve blocks, and attempts at peripheral nerve stimulation. These interventions were not successful in relieving her sensation. After 60 days of peripheral nerve stimulation to her bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves, she experienced a dramatic 90% reduction in her symptoms with subsequent improvement in quality of life.
CONCLUSION: Peripheral neuromodulation is a potential treatment option for refractory globus sensation.
KEY WORDS: Case report, globus sensation, neuromodulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, recurrent laryngeal nerves
