A 38-year-old hairdresser with irritant-associated vocal cord dysfunction

Abstract

The present case study reports the first case of a 38-year-old hairdresser with irritant-associated vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) due to alkaline persulfate, who was referred on suspicion of occupational asthma. Several tests were performed, including specific inhalation challenge and upper airway endoscopy. During the specific inhalation challenge to alkaline persulfate, the patient experienced dysphonia and a non-significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second on spirometry. Upper airway endoscopy was then performed and revealed VCD. A specific inhalation challenge test is therefore essential in cases of VCD to exclude possible concomitant occupational asthma.