SPASMODIC LARYNGEAL DYSPNEA - A RARE MANIFESTATION OF LARYNGEAL DYSTONIA

We describe clinical experiences in the management of three patients w ith laryngopharyngeal dystonia causing severe breathing problems. In c ontrast to spasmodic dysphonia, which presents with action-induced inv oluntary spasms of laryngeal muscles during speaking, all three patien ts showed laryngopharyngeal spasms primarily during respiration. In an alogy to spasmodic dysphonia we propose the term spasmodic laryngeal d yspnea for this rare condition. Localized unilateral botulinum toxin i njected into the thyroarytenoid muscle and/or ventricular folds reduce d the quantity and quality of spasms and led to a pronounced improveme nt of breathing problems.