Acute Management of Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (Vocal Cord Dysfunction).

Paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder, also commonly termed vocal cord dysfunction, is a poorly understood cause of acute upper airway obstruction. Patients with paradoxical vocal fold motion frequently present to the emergency department (ED) with acute respiratory distress and stridor. Lack of familiarity with this disorder may lead to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis and unnecessary intubations or surgical airway procedures.