The compromised airway: tumors, strictures, and tracheomalacia.
Airway obstruction caused by intrinsic laryngeal and tracheal disorders requires a systematic diagnostic approach, including a careful bronchoscopic examination. Tumors of the upper airway are most often malignant; except for the larynx, metastatic lesions predominate. Among the inflammatory strictures, intubation injuries remain common in developed countries. Tracheomalacia related to chronic obstructive lung disease causes high-grade, chronic, long-segment airway obstruction. The surgical treatment for each group of these disorders is described.
Gaissert
Henning A
HA
Division of Thoracic and Laryngeal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. hgaissert@partners.org
Burns
James
J
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D055090:Tracheomalacia