Bad COVID cough, only when speaking, role for laryngoscopy?

[DrMetal]

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I have a clinic patient who has a really bad dry cough (COVID positive 2 months ago), but only when speaking. No cough at rest. Negative chest imaging. No oxygen requirement, normal vitals. Some fatigue but otherwise asymptomatic.

The poor guy . . . every time he opens his mouth to speak, and while speaking, he starts coughing vehemently. Is there a role here for laryngoscopy, to r/o laryngeal involvement, inflammation, vocal cord dysfunction???

 

[Wordead]

Why wouldn't you scope him?

 

[DrMetal]

Why wouldn't you scope him?

I would, but I'm not an ENT!

Are you guys seeing much laryngeal/vocal pathology with COVID?

 

[Wordead]

I would, but I'm not an ENT!

Are you guys seeing much laryngeal/vocal pathology with COVID?

Ah. I've seen a few consults for it but haven't seen any actual pathology. If they come in for that reason I would certainly scope. Im not personally aware of any linked laryngeal pathology aside from the sequelae of intubation injury or prolonged intubation, but maybe some other ENTs have.

 

[OtoHNS]

Yes, he should definitely be seen and scoped by ENT.

Based on the above, it sounds suspicious for postviral neurogenic cough.