Abnormal Esophageal Manometry in Globus Hystericus

Abstract

Globus hystericus means the “hysterical ball or lump in the throat,” and is generally assumed to be of psychic origin. True dysphagia is usually absent. Twelve patients with the globus syndrome were studied at the Esophageal Motility Laboratory of the Saint Luke's Hospital of Cleveland. An organic cause for their symptomatology was ruled out by physical examination, laryngoscopy, esophagoscopy and cineesophagograms. Ten patients showed significant elevations in esophageal resting pressures and nine had evidence of disordered motor activity in the body of the esophagus. Knowing from previous investigations that a suprasternal discomfort may be elicited from stimulation of the esophagus at different levels, we propose that the globus sensation is a referred one coming from the hypertonic and frequently incoordinated body of the esophagus.