A patient with haloperidol induced laryngeal dystonia

Abstract

We discus the case of a forty-nine year old patient with haloperidol induced laryngeal dystonia (LD). Laryngeal dystonia is a life threatening, very rare medical condition which is difficult to diagnose. It can occur after a short treatment of a patient with atypical antipschycotics. LD can induce severe respiratory insufficiency leading to hypoxemia and death. Due to the lack of diagnosis, we performed an emergency tracheotomy because of severe respiratory distress syndrome. An emergency tracheotomy can be a life-saving procedure in patients with LD.