Definition

• Laryngospasm: brief, acute onset episode of sustained vocal fold adduction
  • In Contrast to Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion, Where Episodes May Last Hours-Days (see Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion, [[Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion]])

---

Etiology

• Aspiration Event (see Aspiration Pneumonia, [[Aspiration Pneumonia]])
• Chlorine Gas/Aerosol Inhalation (see Chlorine, [[Chlorine]])
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (see Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, [[Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease]])
• General Anesthesia (see General Anesthesia, [[General Anesthesia]]): laryngospasm typically occurs on emergence from general anesthesia
• Hypocalcemia (see Hypocalcemia, [[Hypocalcemia]])
• Organophosphates (see Organophosphates, [[Organophosphates]])
  • Physiology: nicotinic effects cause laryngospasm
• Post-Extubation

---

Clinical Manifestations

• Acute Upper Airway Obstruction (see Obstructive Lung Disease, [[Obstructive Lung Disease]])
• Acute Respiratory Failure (see Acute Hypoventilation, [[Acute Hypoventilation]]): due to high-grade upper airway obstruction with excessive work of breathing

---

Treatment

• xxx

---

References

• An approach to the management of paroxysmal laryngospasm. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology (August 2009), 123 (8), pg. 937-938