Find information on Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) diagnosis, including clinical documentation and medical coding. Learn about VCD symptoms, laryngospasm, paradoxical vocal fold motion, and the differential diagnosis process. This resource covers ICD-10 codes (J38.5, J38.6) related to VCD and other upper respiratory conditions impacting breathing and voice. Explore resources for healthcare professionals on proper clinical documentation for VCD and related disorders like inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO).
Also known as
Spasm of vocal cord
Involuntary closure of the vocal cords.
Paralysis of vocal cord/larynx
Loss of vocal cord movement affecting speech.
Other diseases of vocal cords
Includes various vocal cord disorders not elsewhere classified.
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath, a common symptom of VCD.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the vocal cord dysfunction induced by exercise?
Yes
Code J38.5, Exercise-induced laryngospasm
No
Is it psychogenic in origin?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Episodic upper airway obstruction |
Asthma |
Inducible laryngeal obstruction |
Using unspecified codes (e.g., J38.5) when more specific documentation supports spasmodic dysphonia or paradoxical vocal fold motion diagnoses, leading to inaccurate reimbursement.
Misdiagnosis of VCD as asthma (J45.xx) due to similar symptoms, impacting quality metrics and treatment plans. Requires careful clinical documentation to differentiate.
Insufficient documentation of VCD severity (mild, moderate, severe) hindering accurate coding, affecting resource allocation and outcome tracking. CDI can improve specificity.
Patient presents with symptoms consistent with vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), also known as paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM) and laryngeal dyskinesia. Symptoms include episodic shortness of breath, dyspnea, tightness in the throat, stridor, wheezing, and cough. These episodes can mimic asthma exacerbations but do not respond to typical asthma therapies like bronchodilators. Onset of symptoms is often sudden and can be triggered by exercise, irritants, stress, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Physical examination during an episode may reveal paradoxical adduction of the vocal cords during inspiration, observed via laryngoscopy. Differential diagnosis includes asthma, allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, and upper airway obstruction. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) may show a flattened inspiratory loop, supporting the VCD diagnosis. Patient education regarding the nature of VCD and its distinction from asthma is crucial. Initial management includes breathing exercises, such as respiratory retraining and diaphragmatic breathing techniques. Referral to a speech-language pathologist experienced in VCD management is recommended for voice therapy and laryngeal control exercises. Consideration for psychological evaluation and treatment for anxiety or stress management may be indicated if contributing factors are identified. Patient instructed on symptom triggers and avoidance strategies. Follow-up scheduled to assess symptom control and response to therapy. ICD-10 code J38.5 (paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, other) and relevant CPT codes for laryngoscopy and therapeutic interventions will be documented for billing purposes.