A 44-year-old man presents to the emergency department (ED). For the past 2 hours he has felt as if a piece of chicken he was eating is "stuck" in his esophagus and the lump won't move when he takes small sips of water.

He has experienced this sensation 6 times over the past 3 years, but each time this sensation resolved spontaneously within 30 minutes. He says he has had no heartburn or reflux symptoms in between these episodes. He has a history of atopic conditions (asthma and allergic rhinitis).

While in the ED, his symptoms resolve spontaneously. A physical examination after his throat symptoms resolve is normal. An esophagram completed in the ED is also normal.