Somatic cough syndrome: a report of two cases and review of literature

Abstract

Background: Somatic cough syndrome is a somatization disorder that usually presents in children and which is often diagnosed late after an extensive search for organic causes. The condition was redefined by the DSM-5 criteria and grouped with the other conditions under the umbrella of somatoform disorders. Nonetheless, clinical presentation is heterogeneous, and etiology is still not clearly defined. Several management approaches have been proposed, but treatment remains essentially nonpharmacological. Case presentation: We report two cases of somatic cough syndrome that were diagnosed after 4 years and 3 months respectively, and document the successful treatment of both cases using behavioral therapy. Discussion: Behavioral therapy is the most reportedly successful nonpharmacological treatment in somatic cough syndrome, and it was successful with both our cases. The condition poses a significant burden over the function and quality of life in patients and their caregivers. The heterogeneous nature of this syndrome necessitates a high index of suspicion on part of both the physician and the psychiatrist in order to secure a timely diagnosis and mitigate the impact of this condition.

<p>A Rare Case with New Insights: Pure Sensory Guillain Barre Syndrome with Axonal Features</p>

“…3,4,21 This suggestion is prompted by clinical similarities between the two conditions and the detection of ganglioside antibodies (GM1, GQ1b, GD1b) in some cases with pure sensory GBS. 4,8,15 However, these antibodies were demonstrated only in a few sensory GBS cases. Also, pure sensory GBS cases are very rare and heterogenous which limits the scope for clinical comparisons with MFS.…”

“…NCS findings in cases with sensory GBS are diverse. 4,7,[13][14][15][16][17][18] Classical demyelinating features such as increased SNAP latency, slow conduction velocity, temporal dispersion, and/or delayed or absent F-waves, with or without motor involvement, have been demonstrated in many cases. Less frequently, other cases have demonstrated markedly low-amplitude or absent SNAPs with normal motor studies and F-wave latencies, suggesting axonal injury.…”