Vocal cord dysfunction presenting as acute asthma in a pediatric patient

Multidisciplinary approach to vocal cord dysfunction diagnosis and treatment in one session: A single institutional outcome study

“…Although it was first described in children in the 1980s [8,12], only in recent years has VCD and its distinctive features been increasingly recognized by pediatric health care providers [5,9,13,14]. The diagnosis of VCD is of particular significance, in that its respiratory manifestations and its common association with physical activity make it susceptible to confusion with asthma -leading to inappropriate prescription of asthma medication, notably inhaled and oral corticosteroids [13,[15][16][17]. The possible iatrogenic complications of this diagnostic confusion in children are manifold, and range from Cushing syndrome to intubation and tracheotomy [18][19][20][21].…”

Diagnostic Criteria for the Classification of Vocal Cord Dysfunction

“…Chest radiography is typically normal and will not demonstrate hyperinfl ation or peribronchial thickening seen in asthma exacerbations. 114 Arterial blood gases were advocated to differentiate VCD from asthma, as hypoxia was reported in several cases. 8,96,97,[115][116][117] Evaluation of 16 patients with asthma with variable extrathoracic obstruction on spirometry found all had normal pulse oximetry.…”

Vocal Cord Dysfunction

“…Chest radiography findings are typically normal and will not demonstrate hyperinflation or peribronchial thickening seen in acute asthma exacerbations. 94,106 It may be helpful in eliminating other potential etiologies of stridor such as foreign body aspiration, neoplasm, or tracheal abnormalities. Soft tissue films of the neck may also rule out an upper airway obstruction in certain conditions such as croup.…”