HomeAnswersOtolaryngology (E.N.T)dysphagiaI have a hypoglossal mass and am suffering from difficulty swallowing. What should I do?

Will a hypopharyngeal mass cause swallowing difficulties?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At November 2, 2022
Reviewed AtJanuary 30, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

A possible hypopharyngeal mass was discovered during a recent cervical spine MRI. For over a year, I have had difficulty swallowing. Most likely, I would like to know what the mass is. I have been waiting for an ENT appointment and will have to wait another week. What is the most likely mass? I have a history of smoking, Barrett's esophagus, and skin and cervical cancer. I have attached the images.

Answered by Dr. Akshay. B. K.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I have reviewed the reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). It appears that there is a mass at the base of the tongue. However, I cannot determine the tumor's nature because the reports and the two photographs are inconclusive. The mass may be a secondary form of your esophageal lesion since you have a history of Barret's disease, cervical cancer, and skin cancer. If possible, please send me the entire continuous sections of CT scan images. You will need to take an endoscopy and biopsy to investigate the nature of the mass. Are there any swollen hard nodes in your neck? And is there any history of coughing out blood-tinged sputum?

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply. I am still figuring out how to use this website. Is it possible to upload the entire CD or just parts of it? I am aware of no enlarged nodes in my neck, and the doctor has not mentioned any of them to me. I have coughed up blood a couple of times, but not recently. After having sinus surgery last year for an infection, I had to do nasal rinses for two months with antifungal, antibacterial, and steroid medications, which caused frequent nosebleeds. I am experiencing pain in my sinuses, throat, and chest. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer 35 years ago and vulvar cancer 15 years ago.

Answered by Dr. Akshay. B. K.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. It is difficult to upload individual photos. Please upload the entire CD to a cloud platform and forward the link to me. It is good to know there are not any lymph nodes. However, blood-tinged sputum is one of the warning signs. As a result, an endoscopy is required following your sinus surgery. Nasal douching causes some bleeding, which is to be expected. A chest CT (computed tomography) that shows no METs (Metabolic Equivalent) is also a good sign.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply. I have uploaded the entire CD of images.

Answered by Dr. Akshay. B. K.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. Where is it, ma'am? Unfortunately, it is not displayed here. So I proposed the idea that in cases you can only upload part of the set of images to this platform. Then, you can upload it to any online cloud system and share the uploaded file's link, and I can investigate those images.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply. Here is a link: mri (file://DESKTOP-EK6KNNI/Users/khq20/OneDrive/mri) I also can access the entire DVD uploaded to your site. For example, I clicked on the File 1 Open link on your site below my last message, and it opened my entire MRI report on your site.

Answered by Dr. Akshay. B. K.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I will double-check and get back to you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Akshay. B. K.
Dr. Akshay. B. K.

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

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