[Recurrent Pulmonary Hemorrhages with Hemoptysis as a Result of Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) - An Attempt to Explain]. / Rezidivierende pulmonale Hämorrhagien mit Hämoptoe als Folge einer Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) ­ ein Erklärungsversuch.

ABSTRACT

We present the case of an otherwise healthy 19-year-old student who has been affected by vocal cord dysfuntion (VCD) since she is fourteen. 3 years after that diagnosis she has also been coughing blood at an increasing rate (1-3 times per week). We postulate that the haemoptoe is the result of breathing against a closed airway which can lead to excessively high negative intrathoracic pressures. Which, in turn, rapture alveolar capillaries. After bilateral injection of Botulinum toxin injection into the muscles vocalis, VCD as well as haemoptoe episodes ceased for three months.