Exciting news from the The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting! Yesterday, the ILO/VCD Toolkit was officially launched, aiming to enhance the recognition and management of inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) and vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). This comprehensive resource is designed by clinicians, for clinicians, to improve education and clinical care in this often-misunderstood area.
ILO/VCD affects approximately 20% of asthma patients, 10% of high-level athletes, and up to 70% of individuals with chronic cough. Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatments, highlighting the need for accurate recognition and management. The toolkit offers:
– **Detailed Information**: Learn about terminology, prevalence, clinical features, and patient experiences.
– **Diagnostic Tools**: Access questionnaires, flexible laryngoscopy guidelines, and emerging diagnostic techniques.
– **Management Strategies**: speech pathology treatments, exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction management, surgical options, medications, and botulinum toxin applications.
– **Clinical Service Guidance**: Find resources on establishing ILO/VCD services and raising awareness among healthcare professionals.
Developed by the NHMRC CRE Treatable Traits the toolkit is now available at (https://ilovcdtoolkit.org). We encourage healthcare professionals to utilise this valuable resource to enhance patient care and outcomes.
