Exercise-induced laryngochalasia: an imitator of exercise-induced bronchospasm

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2000 Nov;85(5):387-91. doi: 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)62552-5.

Abstract

Background: Patients with exercise-induced laryngochalasia present with dyspnea and stridor during exercise. Symptoms are due to a subtotal occlusion of the larynx resulting from mucosal edema from the aryepiglottic folds being drawn into the endolarynx.

Methods: We report on three patients with exercise-induced bronchospasm, refractory to standard therapy.

Results: Spirometry with flow-volume loops revealed truncation of the inspiratory limb. Abnormal movement of the arytenoid region was visualized on laryngoscopy. A diagnosis of exercise-induced laryngochalasia was made.

Conclusions: Evaluation of laryngeal motion in patients with refractory exercise-induced bronchospasm is important. Surgical correction with laser laryngoplasty is effective in carefully selected cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asthma, Exercise-Induced / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Laryngeal Diseases / etiology*
  • Laryngeal Diseases / surgery
  • Laser Therapy