Surface-Evoked Laryngeal Sensory Action Potential Evaluation in Neurogenic Chronic Cough

SummaryObjectivesNeurogenic chronic cough is currently a diagnosis of exclusion. We hypothesized that surface-evoked laryngeal sensory action potential (SELSAP) testing could be used to help establish a diagnosis of laryngeal sensory neuropathy as a cause of chronic cough, based on altered SELSAP waveform morphology.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsLaryngeal electromyographic (EMG) data including SELSAP waveform testing from patients with chronic cough were directly compared with a control population without significant laryngeal symptoms, and statistical analysis of unilateral and bilateral neuropathy injury subgroups was performed.ResultsThirty patients with a chief complaint of chronic cough underwent laryngeal EMG testing since January 2000 with needle EMG and surface nerve conduction studies. SELSAP waveform analysis of unilateral and bilateral laryngeal neuropathy demonstrated significantly lowered median SELSAP peak amplitude compared with controls (P < 0.01).ConclusionsPatients with suspected neurogenic chronic cough demonstrate statistically significant alterations in SELSAP waveform that can support a diagnosis of laryngeal sensory neuropathy.