Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2014 Nov;6(6):577-579. 10.4168/aair.2014.6.6.577.

Munchausen Stridor-A Strong False Alarm of Anaphylaxis

• Bahna SL
• Oldham JL

• KMID: 2260182
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2014.6.6.577

Abstract

The diagnosis of anaphylaxis is often based on reported symptoms which may not be accurate and lead to major psychosocial and financial impacts. We describe two adult patients who were diagnosed as having recurrent anaphylaxis witnessed by multiple physicians based on recurrent laryngeal symptoms. The claimed cause was foods in one and drugs in the other. We questioned the diagnosis because of absent documentation of objective findings to support anaphylaxis, and the symptoms occurred during skin testing though the test sites were not reactive. Our initial skin testing with placebos reproduced the symptoms without objective findings. Subsequent skin tests with the suspected allergens were negative yet reproduced the symptoms without objective findings. Disclosing the test results markedly displeased one patient but reassured the other who subsequently tolerated the suspected allergen. In conclusion, these 2 patients' symptoms and evaluation were not supportive of their initial diagnosis of recurrent anaphylaxis. The compatible diagnosis was Munchausen stridor which requires psychiatric evaluation and behavior modification, but often rejected by patients.

Keyword

Anaphylaxis; food allergy; drug allergy; munchausen stridor; allergy; vocal cord dysfunction

MeSH Terms

Adult
Allergens
Anaphylaxis*
Behavior Therapy
Diagnosis
Drug Hypersensitivity
Food Hypersensitivity
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Placebos
Respiratory Sounds
Skin Tests
Vocal Cord Dysfunction
Allergens
Placebos

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