[Epiglottic anteversion in the etiology of globus pharyngeus and its surgical management].
OBJECTIVE
To define the role of epiglottic anteversion in the etiology of globus pharyngeus (GP) and to evaluate the effectiveness of laser partial epiglottectomy in its treatment.


METHODS
Four patients who admitted to our clinic between 2001 and 2003 with the complaint of GP underwent laryngoscopic examination, which revealed a structurally anteverted epiglottis that was in contact with the tongue base and vallecula. After ruling out other etiologic factors of GP, the patients were operated on under general anesthesia and laser partial epiglottectomy was carried out. In this procedure, the part of the epiglottis 1 cm from the free margin, forming the contact points with the tongue base and vallecula was excised with laser.


RESULTS
Three patients were symptom-free totally, while one patient reported a partial cure.


CONCLUSIONS
Epiglottic anteversion should be kept in mind in the etiology of GP. Laser partial epiglottectomy may be helpful in the treatment of selected cases.
Ural
Ahmet
A
Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine Faculty of Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. ahmetural2001@yahoo.com
Köybaşioğlu
Ahmet
A
Uslu
Sabri
S
Ceylan
Alper
A
Asal
Korhan
K
Ileri
Fikret
F
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000601:surgery*; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged