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What Causes The Feeling Of A Lump In The Throat?
Question: Hi,
I have a feeling of a lump or something in the right side of my throat. It seems as though the food and
liquids go down fine but it feels as though the right side on my throat is different/has a feeling of something stuck on the right side. I have go to an ENT and also had an EGD done and the ENT said he couldn't see anything wrong as he went in through my nose with the tube/camera device down to my larnyx. The EGD can back with unspecified dysphagia. Biopsied and no cancer was found. I have had
sinus surgery approx 20 yrs ago and ever since that surgery the right side of my nasal cavity has been extremely DRY. I believe the turbinate(s) on my right sinus area have had too much tissue removed.
For years I have been putting in nasal gel, etc but find little relief. I am wondering if this might have something to do with what is going on with my throat? This all started in August of 2015. I do have post nasal drip and can't feel it on the left side of my throat but really can on the right side. Also, when I lay down at bedtime it is bothersome as I am a side sleeper and the pressure seems to intensify.
I have a feeling of a lump or something in the right side of my throat. It seems as though the food and
liquids go down fine but it feels as though the right side on my throat is different/has a feeling of something stuck on the right side. I have go to an ENT and also had an EGD done and the ENT said he couldn't see anything wrong as he went in through my nose with the tube/camera device down to my larnyx. The EGD can back with unspecified dysphagia. Biopsied and no cancer was found. I have had
sinus surgery approx 20 yrs ago and ever since that surgery the right side of my nasal cavity has been extremely DRY. I believe the turbinate(s) on my right sinus area have had too much tissue removed.
For years I have been putting in nasal gel, etc but find little relief. I am wondering if this might have something to do with what is going on with my throat? This all started in August of 2015. I do have post nasal drip and can't feel it on the left side of my throat but really can on the right side. Also, when I lay down at bedtime it is bothersome as I am a side sleeper and the pressure seems to intensify.
Brief Answer:
Seems to be chronic sinusitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having sensation of lump or discomfort in the throat.
Based on your clinical details, it appears to be chronic sinusitis.
Post nasal drip denotes sinus involvement. I would suggest you to stop putting gel ( most of them contains saline, where it increases cell size and helps in removing the nasal crusts and causes drying of throat) and do CT scan of paranasal sinuses.( Endoscopy will not show the interior of sinus ( best visualized with ct scan).
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Seems to be chronic sinusitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having sensation of lump or discomfort in the throat.
Based on your clinical details, it appears to be chronic sinusitis.
Post nasal drip denotes sinus involvement. I would suggest you to stop putting gel ( most of them contains saline, where it increases cell size and helps in removing the nasal crusts and causes drying of throat) and do CT scan of paranasal sinuses.( Endoscopy will not show the interior of sinus ( best visualized with ct scan).
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
You suggest doing a CT scan of paranasal sinuses. Why/what might it show? I think that is a great idea as the sinuses on my right side of my face are the ones that are extremely dry. Would a CT show that I have lost a lot of the tissue when the doctor "enlarged" my turbinates and or what might it indicate? I am afraid of radiation when it comes to xrays. Is there possibly another way to examine them?
Brief Answer:
CT scan- best modality-for para nasal sinuses sinuses diseases.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.
Answers for your queries.
1. Why/what. There are 4 pairs of sinuses, which opens in the nasal cavity. Walls and interiors (anatomical openings-sinus openings, pathological extent- mucosal thickenings (sinusitis), fluid levels, polyps and septa) are best seen with CTscan.
2. Turbinates usually present in the nasal cavity (not in sinuses), their removal relieves nasal cavity XXXXXXX ency but not sinuses XXXXXXX ency. For normal functioning nose, sinus openings should be patent (should not be closed with anatomical anomalies and pathological extent).
3. Yes. I agree with you about radiation exposure. Its inevitable, no other investigation gives more details than CT scan (ct scan is for bony algorithms, where as MRI for soft tissues).
Hope, I have answered your queries. Take care.
CT scan- best modality-for para nasal sinuses sinuses diseases.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.
Answers for your queries.
1. Why/what. There are 4 pairs of sinuses, which opens in the nasal cavity. Walls and interiors (anatomical openings-sinus openings, pathological extent- mucosal thickenings (sinusitis), fluid levels, polyps and septa) are best seen with CTscan.
2. Turbinates usually present in the nasal cavity (not in sinuses), their removal relieves nasal cavity XXXXXXX ency but not sinuses XXXXXXX ency. For normal functioning nose, sinus openings should be patent (should not be closed with anatomical anomalies and pathological extent).
3. Yes. I agree with you about radiation exposure. Its inevitable, no other investigation gives more details than CT scan (ct scan is for bony algorithms, where as MRI for soft tissues).
Hope, I have answered your queries. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi again,
In your last reply you mention: nasal cavity XXXXXXX ency and sinus XXXXXXX ency. What is XXXXXXX ency? Also, why would I have this feeling of a lump on the right side of my throat only? The left side is fine. I forgot to mention that sometimes I get a slight pain in my right ear - not all of the time. My ENT wants me to have a barium swallow. Do you think this is wise as it too involves radiation.
Thanks for your help, XXXXXXX
In your last reply you mention: nasal cavity XXXXXXX ency and sinus XXXXXXX ency. What is XXXXXXX ency? Also, why would I have this feeling of a lump on the right side of my throat only? The left side is fine. I forgot to mention that sometimes I get a slight pain in my right ear - not all of the time. My ENT wants me to have a barium swallow. Do you think this is wise as it too involves radiation.
Thanks for your help, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Barium swallow -radiation exposure
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Noraml patancy ( normal functioning openings with out any closure) of both sinuses and nasal openings are required for normal nasal breathing.
Lumpy sensation could be due to constant post nasal drip of sinusitis. In my opinion, ct scan will definitely give the cause for sinusitis, where as barium swallow done to see abnormalities of food pipe.
Barium swallow, where they make you to swallow barium mixed with any diet, and x-ray (radiation exposure) taken to see any obstruction of food type. With this, one can rule out the problem at food pipe, but not in sinuses.
Take care.
Barium swallow -radiation exposure
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Noraml patancy ( normal functioning openings with out any closure) of both sinuses and nasal openings are required for normal nasal breathing.
Lumpy sensation could be due to constant post nasal drip of sinusitis. In my opinion, ct scan will definitely give the cause for sinusitis, where as barium swallow done to see abnormalities of food pipe.
Barium swallow, where they make you to swallow barium mixed with any diet, and x-ray (radiation exposure) taken to see any obstruction of food type. With this, one can rule out the problem at food pipe, but not in sinuses.
Take care.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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