vocal cord dysfunction can be an asthma mimic


Patients with vocal cord dysfunction can often have wheeze, cough that are intermittent but chronic and reproducible. These characteristics can be similar to asthma.

One can differentiate between the two with physical exam and PFT. On physical exam, patients with vocal cord dysfunction will have predominantly upper airway wheeze and stridor. On PFT, there will not be bronchodilator response. Methacholine challenge will also be negative, as this is mechanical defect and not reactive inflammation. The inspiratory loop of PFT in vocal cord dysfunction can have flattened appearance.1

Footnotes

  1. Association of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Program Directors