RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Yield of Neck CT and Barium Esophagram in Patients with Globus Sensation
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 386
OP 389
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A3683
VO 35
IS 2
A1 L. Alhilali
A1 S.-h. Seo
A1 B.F. Branstetter IV
A1 S. Fakhran
YR 2014
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/35/2/386.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Globus sensation is common and difficult to treat. The purpose of our study was to compare the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of barium esophagram and neck CT in patients with isolated globus sensation, to determine which of these modalities should be preferred in the evaluation of this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients presenting with isolated globus sensation from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2012, who underwent neck CT or barium esophagram. We calculated the proportion of patients with abnormal findings, tabulated the nature of the abnormality, and reviewed the medical records to determine whether imaging changed management. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight neck CTs and 104 barium esophagrams were included. Five (3.4%) patients with neck CTs and 4 (3.9%) with barium esophagrams demonstrated significant findings related to the history of globus sensation. Of these, 1 (0.7%) neck CT and 1 (1.0%) barium esophagram resulted in a change in clinical management. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging evaluation of the patient with uncomplicated globus sensation is unlikely to identify clinically significant imaging findings and is very unlikely to result in a change in clinical management, with a combined therapeutic efficacy of 0.8%. Thus, the routine use of imaging in the evaluation of patients with globus sensation cannot be recommended. DEdiagnostic efficacyGSglobus sensationTEtherapeutic efficacy