Vocal Cord Dysfunction Pathology

VOCAL CORD VOCAL CORD DYSFUNCTION
This Study Resource/Notes will help you learn more
about Vocal Cord Dysfunction. These are my notes, I
took during my Respiratory Therapy Course
DYSFUNCTION RespNotes

, 1

Contents
VOCAL CORD DYSFUNCTION ..............................................................................................................................................................2
VOCAL CORD DYSFUNCTION (VCD) DEFINITION: ................................................................................................................................2
VOCAL CORD DYSFUNCTION IS CHARACTERIZED BY: ........................................................................................................................................... 2
UNDERLYING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
MOST MISTAKEN DISORDER: REFRACTORY ASTHMA!! ......................................................................................................................2
PATIENT POPULATION ........................................................................................................................................................................2
VOCAL CORD PHYSIOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................................2
ETIOLOGY ..........................................................................................................................................................................................3
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS ...............................................................................................................................................................3
VCD IS ASSOCIATED WITH: ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
LAB FINDINGS ....................................................................................................................................................................................3
PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
DIAGNOSIS – SYMPTOMATIC PATIENT ...............................................................................................................................................4
DIAGNOSIS OF THE ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENT ....................................................................................................................................4
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: ................................................................................................................................................................4
VOCAL CORD DYSFUNCTION TREATMENTS: .......................................................................................................................................4
SPEECH THERAPY (FIRST LINE TREATMENT) ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
BREATHING EXERCISES ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
RELAXED THROAT BREATHING EXERCISES:........................................................................................................................................................ 4
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
HELIOX THERAPY......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
CPAP THERAPY .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
INTUBATION OR TRACHEOSTOMY.................................................................................................................................................................... 5
INHALED ANTICHOLINERGIC AGENT ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
BOTULINUM TOXIN ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
TOPICAL LIDOCAINE .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
COUNSELLING ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
ASTHMA VS VCD ................................................................................................................................................................................5
ASTHMA AS A COEXISTENT PROBLEM: ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
ASTHMA ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
VCD ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
REFERENCES: .....................................................................................................................................................................................6