PG8 - Vocal cord dysfunction

Postgraduate Course
Chairs: K. Kenn (Schonau A. Konigssee, Germany), T. Welte (Hannover, Germany)
Aims: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is an important differential diagnosis to severe, difficult-to-treat asthma. This course will highlight the diagnostic and clinical features of VCD. Experts will provide participants with practical knowledge about how to separate so-called "intractable asthma" from VCD, and how to elaborate whether or not bronchial asthma is present as a concomitant disease. Dyspnoea as the main symptom will be highlighted from the patient?s perspective. Additionally, the complex physiological and pathophysiological functions of the laryngeal structures will be presented.

Irritability and functional abnormalities of the laryngeal structures M. Hess (Hamburg, Germany)
Laryngeal vs bronchial hyperresponsiveness C. Bucca (Turin, Italy)
Vocal cord dysfunction: clinical features and diagnostic approaches K. Kenn (Schonau A. Konigssee, Germany)
Exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction T. Halvorsen (Bergen, Norway)
Management and treatment of vocal cord dysfunction R. Balkissoon (Denver, United States of America)