Abstract
The authors investigated the effect of a small amount (about 0.1ml) of a local anesthetic, 4% Xylocaine® (lidocaine), applied topically on the pharyngeal mucosa in a series of 450 patients with abnormal sensation in the throat.
When an anesthetic state was obtained, the sensation was reduced subjectively in 362 patients (80%) which included 196 (44%) with complete disappearance of the sensation. The effect was fairly remarkable in those patients;
1. Complaining of the sensation above the hyoid bone.
2. Complaining of itchy feeling in the throat.
3. Evaluated to be neurotic, extrovert or frank by Cornell Medical Index-Health Questionnaire and Maudsley Personality Inventory.
These results indicate that the abnormal sensation is mainly originated in the pharyngolaryngeal region and the sensory system can be easily blocked by the topical anesthesia. Therefore, it is doubtful that the abnormal sensations in the throat are mainly caused by psychogenic disorder or organic lesions at the site distal to the pharyngolaryngeal region.
