Chronic cough is both a diagnostic and management enigma.  It is a critical human reflex and common symptom. Patients often to present to Otolaryngology having seen several specialists but achieving little relief and finding fewer answers.   The purpose of this lecture is to share an expert perspective on chronic cough diagnosis and management in a case-based manner.   The material presented applies to the broadest range of participants including comprehensive otolaryngologists, trainees, advanced practice providers and non-physician clinicians because chronic cough is a pervasive chief complaint. The lecturer will discuss chronic cough diagnosis, neurogenic cough, superior laryngeal block for treatment of chronic cough, behavioral cough suppression therapy and decision making on the time course of layering multiple treatments.  Innovative treatment paradigms will be presented. Audience members will come away with a better understanding of the pathophysiology involved in chronic cough development, treatment options and the multidisciplinary aspects of management. Additionally, the speaker will provide a protocol for the systematic evaluation of cough. This is a useful tool for the Otolaryngologist trying to treat a frustrated cough patient. Chronic cough is a pervasive problem, impacting the quality of life of a large proportion of the population.  The therapeutic options are as diverse as the etiologies.  It presents a diagnostic enigma that is frustrating to both the patient and the physician.  The speaker will present several cases addressing the diagnostic and therapeutic conundrums common to chronic cough patients. 

Outcome Objectives:

1.     To describe the pathophysiology of cough

2.     To describe a systematic approach to determining the etiology of chronic cough

3.     To implement the superior laryngeal nerve block for the treatment of neurogenic cough