Subglottic stenosis as a complication of Wegener's granulomatosis.
Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a relatively uncommon collagen vascular disease that can lead to both upper and lower airway disease. Subglottic stenosis is one manifestation of the airway disease and can occur even during the quiescent phase of the disease, independent of an active inflammatory response. A high index of suspicion is necessary for this complication in patients with known WG who complain of dyspnoea, and WG should be high on the differential diagnosis in those found to have "idiopathic" subglottic stenosis. We report the case of a patient who presented with this problem, and we review the prevalence, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.
Blaivas
Allen J
AJ
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA. allen.blaivas@va.gov
Strauss
Walter
W
Yudd
Michael
M
D005931:Glottis; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography