Vocal Cord Dysfunction following Bronchial Asthma

—A Case Report—

Abstract

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a functional disorder in which there is an absence of vocal cord opening during inspiration caused by vocal cord adduction. Here we report a case of VCD following bronchial asthma.
The case was a 15-year-old male who was suffering from coughing and rhinorrhea for 16 days prior to visiting our hospital. The previous internal clinician had treated him with medication and inhalation, and his symptoms temporarily subsided. However, dyspnea soon recurred and inspiratory stridor improved only marginally. After visiting our hospital for treatment of the dyspnea and inspiratory stridor, VCD was diagnosed based on confirming paradoxical vocal cord movement under a fiberoptic laryngoscope. Laryngeal relaxation exercise was provided from the time of diagnosis, and the paradoxical vocal cord movement and his symptoms completely recovered one week after the therapy. We conclude that early diagnosis and intervention of laryngeal relaxation may shorten the duration of VCD.