An approach to throat complaints. Foreign body sensation, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness.

There is a great deal of clinical overlap in patients with throat complaints. Foreign body sensation, difficulty in swallowing, and hoarseness may all stem from one entity or may be totally unrelated. First and foremost, always protect the airway. Thereafter, a thorough history, combined with a directed physical examination and radiologic studies, will provide a concise differential diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is formulated, treatment may take place in the Emergency Department or the patient may be referred to the appropriate specialist for definitive diagnosis or treatment.