Author: Martin O'Bryan M.D.

Educational Pearls:

Vocal cord dysfunction can mimic other causes of stridor, such as asthma and upper airway obstruction.
Patients are often very anxious because of the difficulty of inspiration.
The definitive diagnosis is laryngoscopy that must be done by a pulmonologist.
The treatment is general reassurance, asthma medications will not help. CPAP and heliox can be used to help with the stridor.
Benzodiazepines can be used to reduce the associated anxiety.

ISC StormCast for Wednesday, January 12th, 2022