Vocal cord dysfunction presenting as bronchial asthma: the association with abnormal thoraco-abdominal wall motion

A 23 year old man with glottic dysfunction presented as recurrent bronchial asthma. His symptoms were aggravated by application of a noseclip and associated with asynchronous thoraco-abdominal wall motion. The glottic dysfunction was corrected by sedation but not continuous positive airway pressure. This is the first report of vocal cord dysfunction triggered by application of a noseclip and associated with asynchronous thoraco-abdominal wall motion.