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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Vagal Nerve Paraganglioma?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Vagal Nerve Paraganglioma?
by TOB2, Aug 18, 2004 12:00AM
For the past two and a half years I have suffered from coughing spasm which can happen at any time and always start with a tickle in the right of my throat. The coughing fits often cause me to choke and I feel like I am going to pass out where I cant my breath properly. Other symptoms include a feeling of fullness in my right ear and a feeling that something is in the back of the right side of my throat which causes me to keep swallowing to try and get rid of the feeling. When I feel the right side of my throat externally (up towards the jaw) it feels as if there is a hardish swelling (not a lump as such). Sometimes when I touch my head or chest it also causes me to have a fit of coughing. Nearly everytime I start to eat I cough.
I have had nasal steroid sprays, antibiotics and have visited the ENT specialst on two occasions which after cursory examinations by both I was told my ears and throat were clear. I had a barium swallow about 6 months ago which was also clear.
The situation is now beginning to frustrate me immensely as I feel I am going nowhere with the Doctors here in the UK. I am returning to my doctors this week and want to demand a referal to a specialist. I have come become aware of paragangliomas through my own research, from the symptoms mentioned above could this be the cause of my problem or can anybody advise what they think it could be.
Many thanks
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Aug 24, 2004 12:00AM
, Aug 24, 2004 12:00AM
Paragangliomas are very rare tumors. There are only several hundred cases reported in the world literature. Cough is an uncommon symptom with paragangliomas. The localization of your pain to your right ear and right side of your throat certainly points to a problem in this area. It could be any one of a number of more common conditions.
A specialist must evaluate you further. This evaluation should include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
A specialist must evaluate you further. This evaluation should include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
