Glomus vagale presenting as chronic cough

Abstract

To the Editors: Chronic cough is one of the most common symptoms of medical importance with 12% of the population reporting significant symptoms on a daily or weekly basis. The differential diagnosis of chronic cough is extensive. Uncommon causes of chronic cough may be missed unless an adequate history is obtained, a detailed examination performed and appropriate investigations arranged. Herein, we present a case of chronic cough, the aetiology of which was previously unreported. A 57-yr-old female presented with a history of chronic cough for 12 months. The cough had features of reflux 1 as it was precipitated by food and phonation, and associated with frequent clearing of the throat. Moreover, the cough was worse when she was lying flat and started upon rising in the morning. In addition, she described her cough to be precipitated by upward movement of her neck, for example looking at the top shelf in a supermarket. There was no history of decreased appetite or weight loss. She was known to have a hiatus hernia. Her past medical history was otherwise unremarkable. She was a life long nonsmoker and was not on any regular medications. In view of clinical history being highly suggestive of reflux cough, she was started on treatment with lansoprazole in combination with ranitidine; however, she …