Authors
Na Li, Jiangying Guo, Yue Hu, Zihan Yi, Guangyu Ying, Huaqiong Huang
Published in
BMC pulmonary medicine. Jul 18, 2026. Epub Jul 18, 2026.
Abstract
Chronic cough is most commonly associated with respiratory or gastroesophageal disorders, whereas central nervous system etiologies are rare. Cerebellar tonsillar herniation is typically characterized by neurological manifestations, but cough as an isolated symptom is uncommon.
A 61-year-old woman presented with a one-year history of recurrent cough that worsened after eating or drinking. Initial respiratory, gastrointestinal, and allergic evaluations, including chest computed tomography (CT), laboratory testing, and bronchial challenge, were unremarkable. Multidisciplinary team assessment prompted a water swallow test, which showed coughing episodes, raising suspicion for central nervous system involvement. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebellar tonsillar herniation with 10-mm descent below the foramen magnum. The patient underwent posterior fossa decompression with occipital-cervical fusion. Her cough resolved completely postoperatively, with sustained symptom remission at one-year follow-up.
Cerebellar tonsillar herniation may present solely with chronic cough, particularly when common etiologies have been excluded. Thorough clinical assessment, including simple bedside tools such as the water swallow test, and multidisciplinary evaluation can promote timely diagnosis. Cerebellar tonsillar herniation should be regarded as a potential etiologic factor in the differential diagnosis of chronic cough.
PMID:
42471589
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 19 Jul 2026.
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