Laryngotracheal stenosis means abnormal narrowing of main wind pipe or central air passage.

Nomenclature:-

Depending on the site of narrowing different nomenclatures are used, for example if the narrowing is at the level of vocal folds then it is known as Glottis stenosis, if the narrowing is below the vocal folds then it is known as Subglottic stenosis and if the narrowing is in trachea then it is called Tracheal stenosis.

Causes:-

• Thyroid gland enlargement
• Trauma to Larynx or Trachea
• Prolonged intubation
• Bilateral cord palsy
• Congenital anomalies like laryngeal atresia, laryngeal web, subglottic haemangioma, tracheomalacia etc.
• Benign tumours like carcinoid tumors
• Some infections like Epiglottitis, Diphtheria etc;.
• Malignant lesions of Larynx or throat cancers, Thyroid cancers

Presentation:-

Commonest presentation is gradually worsening breathlessness, noisy breathing called Stridor

Treatment:-

• Endoscopic dilatation
• Laser surgery in some selected cases only
• Tracheal resection and anastomosis

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