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Characteristics of thyroid nodules causing globus symptoms

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology volume 272, pages 1181–1188 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

A globus sensation is one of the most common complaints in otolaryngologic clinics, and laryngopharyngeal reflux is the most common cause. However, thyroid nodules also can cause globus symptoms. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of thyroid nodules that cause globus. We selected patients prospectively with a single thyroid nodule on ultrasonograms. Patients with other causes of globus symptoms were excluded using questionnaires, fiber optic laryngoscopic examinations, and a psychiatric screening tool. In total, 175 patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to globus symptoms. Ultrasonographic characteristics and clinicopathological parameters were compared between the groups. Among various clinicopathologic and ultrasonographic parameters, size and horizontal location of the thyroid nodule showed significant differences between the groups. Nodules larger than 3 cm and those located anterior to the trachea had a tendency to cause globus symptoms. Regarding horizontal location, nodules that all parts were located anterior to the trachea showed a higher tendency to cause globus symptoms than nodules that only some parts were located anterior to the trachea. In conclusion, thyroid nodules with specific size and location can cause globus symptoms, and this finding can be indicated in patient counseling. Also, conservative treatments or thyroidectomy may be helpful in relieving patients’ globus symptoms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary`s Hospital, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea

    Inn-Chul Nam, Young-Hak Park & Dong-Il Sun

  2. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Hoon Choi

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Eun-Sook Kim & Eun-Young Mo

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  1. Inn-Chul Nam
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  2. Hoon Choi
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  3. Eun-Sook Kim
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  5. Young-Hak Park
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  6. Dong-Il Sun
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Correspondence to Dong-Il Sun.

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Nam, IC., Choi, H., Kim, ES. et al. Characteristics of thyroid nodules causing globus symptoms. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 272, 1181–1188 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3525-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3525-9

Keywords

  • Thyroid nodule
  • Character
  • Globus
  • Signs and symptoms