I will be editing/updating/adding content for the Signs and Symptoms and Diagnosis Sections of the Vocal Cord Dysfunction article.
The Signs and Symptoms section will be created since there is currently no such section in the article.
In the diagnosis section, information about differential diagnosis will be incorporated.
Below are some sources that I plan on using:
Signs and Symptoms
Many of the symptoms are not limited to the disorder, as they may resemble a number of conditions that affect the upper and lower airway. Such conditions include asthma, angioedema, vocal cord tumors, and vocal cord paralysis[2][3][1][4].
People with vocal cord dysfunction often complain of "difficulty in breathing in” or “fighting for breath”[1], which can lead to subjective respiratory distress[2]. They may report tightness in the throat or chest, choking, stridor on inhalation and wheezing, which can resemble the symptoms of asthma[1][2][3]. These episodes of dyspnea can be recurrent and symptoms can range from mild to severe and prolonged in some cases[2]. Agitation and a sense of panic are not uncommon and can result in hospitalization[1].
Different subtypes of vocal cord dysfunction are characterized by additional symptoms. For instance, momentary aphonia can be caused by laryngospasm, an involuntary spasm of the vocal cords[2] and a strained or hoarse voice may be perceived when the vocal cord dysfunction occurs during speech, resulting in spasmodic dysphonia[2].
Many of the symptoms are not specific to vocal cord dysfunction and can resemble a number of conditions that affect the upper and lower airway.
Differential Diagnosis
The symptoms of VCD are often inaccurately attributed to asthma[2], which in turn results in the unnecessary and futile intake of corticosteroids, bronchodilators and leukotriene modifiers[3], although there are instances of comorbidity of asthma and VCD[6].
The main difference between VCD and asthma is the audible stridor or wheezing that occurs at different stages of the breath cycle: VCD usually causes stridor on the inhalation, while asthma results in wheezing during exhalation [1][2][3]. Patients with asthma usually respond to the usual medication and see their symptoms resolve[1][3]. Clinical measures that can be done to differentiate VCD from asthma include[1]:
- rhinolaryngoscopy: A patient with asthma will have normal vocal cord movement, while one with VCD will display vocal cord abduction during inhalation[1]
- spirometry: A change in the measure following the administration of a bronchodilator is suggestive of asthma rather than VCD[1][3]
- chest radiography: The presence of hyperinflation and peribronchial thickening are indicative of asthma, as patients with VCD will show normal results[1].
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- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Gimenez, Leslie M.; Zafra, Heidi. "Vocal cord dysfunction: an update". Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 106 (4): 267–274. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2010.09.004.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Deckert J; Deckert L (2010-01-01). "Vocal cord dysfunction". American family physician. 81 (2): 156–9. ISSN 0002-838X.
- ^ a b c d e f g Noyes, Blakeslee E; Kemp, James S (2007-01-01). "Vocal cord dysfunction in children". YPRRV Paediatric Respiratory Reviews. 8 (2): 155–163. ISSN 1526-0542.
- ^ a b Benninger C; Parsons JP; Mastronarde JG (2011-01-01). "Vocal cord dysfunction and asthma". Current opinion in pulmonary medicine. 17 (1): 45–9. ISSN 1070-5287.
- ^ Idrees M; FitzGerald JM (2015-01-01). "Vocal cord dysfunction in bronchial asthma. A review article". The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma. 52 (4): 327–35. ISSN 0277-0903.
- ^ Doshi, Devang R.; Weinberger, Miles M. "Long-term outcome of vocal cord dysfunction". Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 96 (6): 794–799. doi:10.1016/s1081-1206(10)61341-5.