Cambridge Journals Online

Intractable paroxysmal sneezing

Abstract

Intractable paroxysmal sneezing is a rare disease primarily affecting teenage girls. We present the case of a 12-year-old girl who demonstrated the classical features of intractable paroxysmal sneezing of psychogenic origin. Most of the reported cases are psychogenic in origin, but a number of other conditions may cause intractable paraoxysmal sneeze. Apart from a detailed history, clinical examination and relevant investigations, topical nasal anaesthesia should be tried for control of symptoms – that will help to differentiate psychogenic sneezing from organic sneezing. A timely diagnosis can avoid unnecessary medical trials, parental anxiety and poor school performance, as most of the patients are very young.