[Psychogenic laryngeal dysfunction--pseudo-asthmatic syndrome].

Laryngeal dysfunction occurs as periodical narrowing or closing of the glottis which does not depend on respiratory phase. Mechanism of this disorder is unknown. It is believed that it is caused by psychological factors or disturbed neural transmission from the respiratory tract. It results in disfunction of vocal cords and presents as episodes of airways obstruction misdiagnosed as asthma attacks. Authors present five cases mostly treated as severe bronchial asthma in which disfunction of vocal cords has been diagnosed on confirmed. In most of observed patients the psychological factor connected with family conflicts were the most probably background of the illness.