title: Diagnosis and management of tracheal stenosis.
abstract: Tracheal stenosis is defined as cicatricial narrowing of the endotracheal lumen. Endotracheal manipulation remains to be the most common etiology followed by inflammatory and collagen vascular diseases. Predisposing factors include host systemic conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux and tube characteristics mainly the size and composition of the tube. The clinical picture may be misleading and ranges from mild decrease in exercise tolerance to severe respiratory distress. The patient is usually investigated radiologically followed by flexible or rigid laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. Computerized tomography is used more often than magnetic resonance imaging and correlates well with the endoscopic findings. The cervical portion of the trachea is usually involved with marked narrowing varying in length and diameter. The treatment includes endoscopic repair, laryngotracheal reconstruction or segmental resection with end to end anastomosis. A total of thirteen cases of adult tracheal stenosis, diagnosed and managed at the American University of Beirut between 1996 and 2003 were reviewed. The clinical presentation, etiology, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are presented in this study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ussama
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hadi
authors.forename: Abdul-Latif
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hamdan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*