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Vocal cord dysfunction in children and adolescents
1Northwest Asthma and Allergy, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. stilles@nwasthma.com
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|October 9, 2003
Summary
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a breathing disorder causing throat and chest tightness, often mistaken for asthma in athletes. Diagnosis requires visualizing vocal cord motion, with speech therapy as the primary treatment.
Area of Science:
- Laryngology
- Pulmonology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a nonorganic laryngeal disorder characterized by paradoxical vocal cord adduction during breathing.
- Symptoms include dyspnea, chest tightness, cough, throat tightness, wheezing, and voice changes.
- VCD is more prevalent in females and often triggered by exercise in adolescents, frequently misdiagnosed as exercise-induced asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of vocal cord dysfunction.
- To highlight the association and differentiation of VCD with conditions like asthma and GERD.
- To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and effective treatment strategies for VCD.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on vocal cord dysfunction.
- Emphasis on diagnostic methods including laryngoscopy during symptomatic episodes.
- Discussion of exercise challenge tests for diagnosis in athletes.
Main Results:
- VCD presents with diverse respiratory and voice symptoms, often mimicking asthma.
- Coexistence with asthma is common, necessitating consideration in treatment-refractory cases.
- Diagnosis relies on direct visualization of abnormal vocal cord movement, often requiring symptom provocation.
Conclusions:
- Vocal cord dysfunction is a distinct clinical entity requiring specific diagnostic approaches.
- Patient education and speech therapy are the cornerstone of VCD management.
- Successful treatment allows most patients to return to their activities with minimal limitations.