Abstract
Background: Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of involuntary motor and phonics tics. Some of the involuntary phonic tics may present as coughing, grunting, and wheezing. These symptoms may easily be confused with the symptoms associated with the disorders causing chronic persistent cough. The purpose of this study was to present our experience of the clinical manifestation and treatment outcome of the TS.
Material and methods: Retrospective review studies were done from Jan 2008 to Dec. 2010. There were 8 patients met the criteria of TS who initially present as chronic cough (cough > 4 weeks) in OPD.
Results: Their ages ranged between 6 and 17 years old. Of these patients, 6 (75%) were boys, 2 (25%) were girls. The onset of vocal tics is less than 1 year after the onset of motor tics. All cases showed simultaneously multiple tics. The most common tics in TS were throat clearing (5/8), facial grimacing (4/8),mouth opening (4/8), barking cough (3/8), head turning (2/8), shoulder jerk (2/8). Two of 8 patients were associated with the behavioral disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (1/8), attention-deficit disorder (2/8). No known of positive familial history in our patients. All patients suffered from rhinitis more or less and S/S could fully remit after aggressive nasal management except 2 patients.
Conclusion: We would like to point out that TS should also be considered in children with chronic cough. This may help prevent the potential unwanted effects of the drugs which are presumptively given to these patients.
- © 2011 ERS
