SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS

Course overview

SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS IS THE NARROWING OF THE AIRWAY AND CAN EITHER BE CONGENITAL OR ACQUIRED. THE SUBGLOTTIS REGION IS DEFINED AS THE SPACE EXTENDING FROM 1 CM BELOW THE LATERAL MARGIN OF THE VENTRICLE TO THE INFERIOR BORDER OF THE CRICOID CARTILAGE. IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS, THE SUBGLOTTIS REPRESENTS THE NARROWEST PORTION OF THE AIRWAY. THE MOST CLASSIC EXAMINATION FINDING OF SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS IS STRIDOR, WHICH CAN BE EITHER INSPIRATORY OR EXPIRATORY, REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE. ALTHOUGH NUMEROUS OTHER CAUSES ARE ALSO RECOGNIZED, THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ACQUIRED SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS IS IATROGENIC STENOSIS RESULTING FROM PROLONGED INTUBATION. MANAGEMENT OPTIONS SPAN FROM OBSERVATION FOR MILD CASES TO SURGICAL PROCEDURES, INCLUDING LARYNGOTRACHEAL RECONSTRUCTION OR TRACHEOTOMY FOR SEVERE STENOSIS. THIS ACTIVITY AIMS TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WITH COMPREHENSIVE INSIGHTS INTO THE DIAGNOSIS, ASSESSMENT, AND TREATMENT OF SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS. GIVEN THE RISK OF PROGRESSIVE AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION IN ALL AGE GROUPS, TIMELY INTERVENTION IS PARAMOUNT IN PREVENTING SEVERE COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION.