Functional upper airways obstruction: two patients with persistent symptoms

• Published in: Thorax Vol. 51; no. 9; pp. 965 - 966
• Main Authors: Warburton, C. J., McL Niven, R., Higgins, B. G., Pickering, C. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society 01-09-1996; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Airway Obstruction - etiology; Airway Obstruction - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Laryngeal Diseases - complications; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Vocal Cords - physiopathology; Case study; Human; ENT disease; Upper respiratory tract; Vocal cord; Obstruction
• ISSN: 0040-6376; 1468-3296
• DOI: 10.1136/thx.51.9.965

Functional upper airways obstruction is caused by vocal cord dysfunction and classically occurs in paroxysms closely resembling acute asthmatic attacks. We present two cases in which the symptoms and signs of the vocal cord dysfunction demonstrate very little variability with time. We suggest that as part of this disorder, a syndrome of chronic unremitting symptoms may occur.