Lump in the throat: a case study

Abstract

Jack, aged 66 years, presented to his general practitioner with a foreign body sensation in his throat and altered voice, which developed over 30 minutes. He was otherwise well, having no other new symptoms or recent alterations to medication. He had not eaten anything unusual. He had hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stable ischaemic heart disease, urolithiasis and benign prostatic hypertrophy. His regular medication was metformin, rosuvastatin, carvedilol, candesartan (last 5 years) and saxagliptin (last 6 months). He had no allergies but was intolerant of ramipril due to cough. There was no family history of note. On examination he had no itch or rash, or swelling of the tongue, lips, cheek or neck. However, there was oedema of the soft palate and uvula. He was maintaining his airway, saturating at 98%, and his chest was clear. He was afebrile and systemically well.