Chronic cough: in search of the etiology.

Successful treatment of a voice problem requires an accurate diagnosis. The clinician often needs to piece the diagnosis together from previous treatments that failed, from an accurate and involved case history, and from examination of the larynx during speech and vegetative tasks. This case challenges the clinician's ability to question appropriately, to listen intently, and to observe critically before making the diagnosis. With the correct diagnosis, the patient found relief from her chronic cough.