A Retrospective Study of Dyssensation in Pharynx and Larynx

This study included 614 patients who complained of a dyssensation in pharynx and larynx at their first visit to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tokyo Women's Medical College Daini Hospital between January 1993 and December 1995. 1) The number of female patients having organic disease was not significantly different from that of the male patients. 2) The number of female patients not having organic disease was twice that of the male patients. 3) Irrespective of the presence or absence of organic disease, the frequency of complaints of a sensation of “something in the throat” was greatest among the patients between 40 and 50 years of age. 4) Of the male and female patients who chiefly complained of feeling “something in the throat, ” 60% and 50%, respectively, had organic disease. 5) Many patients having disease of the esophagus or cervical spine had symptoms involving swallowing. 6) The organic diseases encountered most frequently involved the oropharynx. 7) The organic diseases were largely inflammatory in nature. 8) Patients complaining of a sensation of a foreign body in the throat when swallowing a solid substance required a complete medical examination of the hypopharynx and esophagus. 9) Patients complaining of a lump sensation in the throat on swallowing and no other local specific symtoms required an endoscopic examination.