Also called: Paradoxical Vocal Laryngeal Dysfunction, Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement
What Is Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)?
The vocal cords are two pieces of tissue stretched across the voice box. They vibrate to make sound when a person speaks. During vocal cord dysfunction, a “trigger” causes the vocal cords to partially close at the wrong time.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)?
A child with vocal cord dysfunction may:
have trouble breathing, especially when breathing in (inhaling or getting air in). This can be scary and need medical care.
cough or clear the throat
wheeze or make raspy sounds during breathing
be hoarse or have other voice changes
have chest pain or throat tightness
The symptoms of vocal cord dysfunction almost never happen while a child is sleeping.
What Causes Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)?
Children with vocal cord dysfunction have "triggers." These are things or situations that they're very sensitive to. The trigger makes the vocal cords partially close, which causes breathing problems.
laryngoscopy: to see the vocal cords using a tiny camera on the end of a thin tube
a challenge test: to make symptoms happen while the doctor looks at the vocal cords. To start symptoms, the child may run on a treadmill, ride a bike, or take a special medicine.
The symptoms of vocal cord dysfunction and asthma can be similar. So doctors will check to see if a child has vocal cord dysfunction, asthma, or both./p>
Vocal cord dysfunction is the most likely cause when:
The breathing trouble happens during exercise. (In exercise-related asthma, symptoms tend to happen soon after exercise.)
The doctor hears sounds coming from the child's neck when listening with a stethoscope. (In asthma, the wheezing sounds come from the chest.)
Medicines that usually work well for treating asthma do not help the child's breathing.
How Is Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) Treated?
Vocal cord dysfunction is treated by an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT, also called an otolaryngologist), a pulmonologist, and a speech therapist. They work together to help the child learn to relax the vocal cords while breathing.
Treatment for vocal cord dysfunction may also include:
practicing breathing exercises
using biofeedback
avoiding irritating fumes or dust
staying hydrated to help the vocal cords work well
The doctor may recommend medicines to treat allergies or acid reflux if they make the vocal cord dysfunction worse.
If stress plays a role, the ENT doctor may ask a psychiatrist or psychologist to join the treatment team. They can help the child understand the cause of the stress and learn the best way to handle it.
What Else Should I Know?
With practice, most kids with vocal cord dysfunction can learn to avoid triggers, relax the vocal cords, and manage stress to help ease or stop symptoms. Sometimes symptoms come back, and the health care team will start treatment again or use a different treatment.