Congenital glottic stenosis as a clinical manifestation of FREM1-associated disorders in a neonate with respiratory distress and aphonia.

A female infant born at 38 weeks and 2 days via induced vaginal delivery was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress soon after birth. Noted to have aphonia on examination, the patient underwent direct laryngoscopy and was diagnosed with an anterior glottic web and subglottic stenosis. The patient underwent a genetic workup including whole exome sequencing which resulted in a diagnosis of a FREM1-associated disorder. Congenital glottic webs and subglottic stenoses have not been previously described as clinical manifestations of FREM1-associated disorders.

Assessing the interrater and intrarater reliability of subglottic stenosis grading systems.

BACKGROUND: Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is a condition leading to narrowing of the upper airway which can lead to dyspnea and life-threatening airway obstruction. Although other proposed grading systems exist, the Cotton Myer (CM) and percent stenosis systems are the most widespread in clinical practice. Despite this, the CM system has not yet been validated for visual assessment of SGS. OBJECTIVE: To determine the interrater and intrarater reliability of the CM grading system among a cohort of physicians who manage patients with SGS. METHODS: An online survey created with videos of tracheoscopies from 20 adult patients with subglotticstenosis (SGS) was sent individually to 9 expert physicians from various medical specialties, all of whom managed patients with SGS. Physicians were asked to view the 20 tracheoscopy videos and assess both the percent stenosis and Cotton Myer (CM) grade of each patient. After a period of 4 weeks, the physicians were sent the same survey of the 20 tracheoscopy videos. The interrater and intrarater reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), a measurement used to evaluate the reliability (the extent to which a measurement can be replicated) of two or more raters measuring the same subject. RESULTS: Overall, CM and percent stenosis systems were found to have an ICC of 0.94 and 0.90 within the domain of interrater reliability, respectively, and ICC of 0.71 and 0.81 within the domain of intrarater reliability, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the CM and percent stenosis grading systems remain a valid clinical tool to measure and communicate the severity of airway obstruction in SGS.

[Balloon dilation as an alternative to tracheotomy for acquired subglottic stenosis in children of the first year of life]. / Ballonnaya dilatatsiya kak al'ternativa trakheotomii pri priobretennom podskladkovom rubtsovom stenoze u detei pervogo goda zhizni.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of balloon dilation as the first choice method in the treatment of children of the first year of life with acquired subglottic stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the treatment of 25 patients aged 27 days to 11 months of life (average age 5.3±3.76 months) with subglottic stenosis caused by prolonged intubation, in whom balloon dilation was the first method of treatment. Grade III Cotton-Myer stenosis was preoperatively detected in 22 children, the remaining 3 had grade II stenosis. RESULTS: The success rate of balloon dilation was 100%; tracheotomy was not required in any case, the absence of stenosis during a follow-up examination in the catamnesis was recorded in 14 (56%) children, the remaining 11 (44%) had grade 0-I stenosis and did not cause respiratory disorders. In 1 child (1.5 years old), a subglottic cyst was removed after balloon dilation. One dilation was required in 18 (72%) children, two - in 5 (20%), three and four - respectively for 1 patient. If additional intervention was necessary, the operation was repeated 10 days - 3 months after the previous one. There were no postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Balloon dilation is a highly effective and safe alternative to traditional surgical interventions for acquired subglottic stenosis in children of the first year of life and can be recommended as a method of first choice.

[Idiopathic Subglottic Tracheal Stenosis]. / Idiopathische subglottische Tracheastenose.

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis is a circular scarred narrowing of the airway at the transition from the cricoid cartilage to the trachea. The stenosis is found radiologically and endoscopically at the level of the cricoid cartilage without involvement of the cricoid or tracheal cartilage itself. The disease practically only affects women between the ages of 20 and 60. The same clinical picture occurs in granulomatosis with polyangiitis and less frequently in other autoimmune diseases, where it requires systemic treatment. The clinical picture usually begins insidiously with coughing and sputum production and leads to dyspnoea and a restricted cough. As the course is insidious and the patients are otherwise healthy, the symptoms are often misinterpreted and the diagnosis is delayed. Treatment consists of local measures, ranging from dilatation and laser surgical resection, sometimes with local application of medication to inhibit the proliferation of new scar tissue, to laryngotracheal resection of varying degrees. The disease is located in the border area between the trachea and larynx and the patients are therefore treated by ENT medicine, pneumology and thoracic surgery.

TREATMENT OF SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS: A SINGLE INSTITUTION EXPERIENCE.

The aim of this article is to present experiences of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Center with the treatment of patients with subglottic stenosis. Subglottic stenosis is a rare congenital or acquired disorder of airway patency that is part of a wider complex of disorders known as laryngotracheal stenosis with the ultimate effect in the form of respiratory insufficiency that can be life-threatening. As an acquired condition, it is most often the result of iatrogenic damage to the larynx and trachea during invasive airway management, whether it is intubation or tracheotomy. In the case of intubation as the etiologic factor, cases of prolonged intubation were most common. Retrospective analysis of patient medical histories over a ten-year period was performed and 29 patients met the inclusion criteria. All patients were monitored for at least two years after completion of treatment. Out of a total of 29 treated patients, 20 were permanently decannulated, of which 4 have paresis of one or both vocal cords. In conclusion, there is no clear treatment protocol for patients with subglottic stenosis. The optimal modality of treatment is combined endoscopic and open surgical treatment.

Lung functions pre- and post-endoscopic balloon dilation treatment among patients with subglottic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is an unusual clinical condition of mucosal wounding, compromising the extra-thoracic part of the tracheal airway below the vocal folds. The diagnosis of SGS is established with a detailed clinical examination and a direct endoscopic examination, and the role of spirometry is also often acknowledged. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SGS on lung functions before and after the balloon dilation procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The respiratory functions were performed in the Department of Clinical Physiology and the Department of Otolaryngology College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this study, 50 patients with SGS were referred from the Department of Otolaryngology, and lung functions before and after the balloon dilation procedure among patients with SGS were performed using an electronic spirometer. RESULTS: The results revealed that the mean values for lung function test parameters VC (p=0.01), FVC (p=0.01), FEV1 (p=0.004), FEV1/FVC Ratio (p=0.01), PEFR (p=0.01), FEF-25% (p=0.01), FEF-50% (p=0.01), and FEF-75%, (p=0.01) were significantly improved in both male and female patients with SGS on one month after the balloon dilation procedure. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the lung function test parameters were increased after the balloon dilation procedure among patients with SGS. The findings showed the impact of SGS on lung function test parameters. Spirometry is a valuable test in patients with SGS and is an appropriate marker to reveal post-airway outcomes. Physicians must suggest lung function tests in patients with SGS before and after the balloon dilation procedure.

Undersedation is a risk factor for the development of subglottic stenosis in intubated children / Subsedação é um fato de risco para o desenvolvimento de estenose subglótica em crianças intubadas

Abstract Objective: To analyze the level of sedation in intubated children as a risk factor for the development of subglottic stenosis. Methods: All patients between 30 days and 5 years of age who required endotracheal intubation in the pediatric intensive care unit between 2013 and 2014 were included in this prospective study. They were monitored daily and COMFORT-B scores were obtained. Flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy was performed within eight hours of extubation, and repeated seven to ten days later if the first examination showed moderate to severe laryngeal injuries. If these lesions persisted and/or if the child developed symptoms in the follow-up period, microlaryngoscopy under general anesthesia was performed to evaluate for subglottic stenosis. Results: The study included 36 children. Incidence of subglottic stenosis was 11.1%. Children with subglottic stenosis had a higher percentage of COMFORT-B scores between 23 and 30 (undersedated) than those who did not develop subglottic stenosis (15.8% vs. 3.65%, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Children who developed subglottic stenosis were less sedated than children who did not develop subglottic stenosis.

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar o nível de sedação em crianças intubadas como um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de estenose subglótica (ES). Métodos: Todos os pacientes entre 30 dias e cinco anos que necessitaram de intubação endotraqueal na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica entre 2013 e 2014 foram incluídos neste estudo prospectivo. Eles foram monitorados diariamente e foram obtidos os escores da escala Comfort-B. Foi feita laringoscopia com tubo flexível de fibra óptica em oito horas da extubação e repetida 7-10 dias depois, caso o primeiro exame tivesse mostrado lesões laríngeas moderadas a graves. Caso essas lesões tivessem persistido e/ou caso a criança tivesse desenvolvido sintomas no período de acompanhamento, foi feita microlaringoscopia sob anestesia geral para avaliar a ES. Resultados: Incluímos 36 crianças. A incidência da ES foi de 11,1%. As crianças com ES apresentaram um maior percentual de escores da escala Comfort-B entre 23 e 30 (subsedados) que os que não desenvolveram ES (15,8% em comparação com 3,65%, p = 0,004). Conclusão: As crianças que desenvolveram ES foram menos sedadas do que as que não desenvolveram.

Prevención, diagnóstico y manejo de lesiones laringotraqueales agudas y subagudas posintubación en pacientes pediátricos / Prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and subacute laryngotracheal post-intubation lesions in pediatric patients

Las lesiones laringotraqueales asociadas a intubación se deben principalmente a una técnica defectuosa y a daño por presión del tubo endotraqueal sobre la mucosa; además influyen características propias del paciente y de los cuidados de enfermería. Hasta el 40% de los pacientes pediátricos intubados pueden presentar alteraciones laríngeas inmediatas y hasta 30% tienen estridor o disnea posextubación. Si estos síntomas persisten por más de 3 días tendrían indicación de laringotraqueoscopía. Las lesiones más habituales son edema, úlceras y tejido de granulación. El edema puede producir obstrucción respiratoria aguda que puede manejarse con reintubación con tubos más pequeños y aplicación tópica de crema de corticoides con antibióticos. Las úlceras y granulaciones pueden evolucionar hacia secuelas cicatriciales que comprometen la fisiología laringotraqueal; las granulaciones exofíticas deben retirarse endoscópicamente. Aunque la incidencia de estenosis subglótica posintubación ha disminuido en las últimas décadas, situándose entre 2,7%y 4,2%, algunos estudios sugieren un subdiagnóstico debido a lesiones poco sintomáticas al alta. En el período cicatricial activo, estas estenosis pueden dilatarse para evitar llegar a una cirugía abierta. El manejo otorrinolaringológico de estos pacientes en etapas tempranas es fundamental para evitar secuelas cicatriciales irreversibles que requieren de cirugías complejas, con riesgo vital por obstrucción de la vía aérea.

Intubation-associated laryngotracheal injuries are mainly caused by a defective technique and endotracheal tube pressure-induced mucosal damage; patient factors and nursing care are also important. Up to 40% of intubated pediatric patients may show immediate laryngeal alterations and up to 30% have post-extubation stridor or dyspnea. If these symptoms last for over 3 days, laryngotracheoscopy is indicated. Edema, ulcers and granulation tissue are the most usual lesions. Edema can lead to acute airway obstruction, and is managed by reintubation with a smaller tube and topical application of a corticosteroid and antibiotic cream. Ulcers and granulations can lead to scarring that compromise laryngotracheal physiology; exophytic granulations must be removed endoscopically. Although the incidence of post-intubation subglottic stenosis has diminished over the last decades to about2,7% to 4,2%, some studies suggest that there is a subdiagnosis because of oligosymptomatic lesions at the time of discharge. On the active scarring period, dilatation of the stenosis can be used to avoid open surgery. Early otorhinolaryngologic management of these patients is fundamental for avoiding irreversible cicatricial sequels that require complex surgeries, with life risk due to airway obstruction.

Estenosis subglótica en pacientes con granulomatosis con poliangeítis / Subglottic stenosis in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Introducción: La granulomatosis con poliangeítis (GPA) es una enfermedad autoinmune con múltiples manifestaciones otorrinolaringológicas. La estenosis subglótica (ESG) se reporta entre 8%-50% de los pacientes. Objetivo: Describir la presentación clínica y tratamiento de la ESG en pacientes con GPA. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de los pacientes atendidos en el Departamento de Otorrinolaringología de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile entre 2011 y 2015 con diagnóstico de GPA y ESG. Resultados: Diez pacientes (90% mujeres) con edad promedio al diagnóstico de 44,6 años. Los síntomas fueron: disnea (9/10), disfonía (6/10) y estridor (5/10). En el 80%, la ESG fue la presentación inicial de la GPA. El 90% presentó GPA localizada y 10% GPA sistémica. El 60% presentó anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilos (ANCA) negativo. Todos los pacientes recibieron glucocorticoides sistémicos, asociados a inmunosupresores y/o anticuerpos monoclonales. Una paciente requirió traqueostomía y dos pacientes han requerido dilatación endoscópica con balón asociado a inyección local de metilprednisolona. Conclusiones: La ESG puede ser la única manifestación de GPA. Los síntomas inespecíficos y la alta probabilidad de presentar ANCA negativo hacen difícil el diagnóstico. El manejo debe ser individualizado y multidisciplinario. La mayoría de nuestros pacientes pudieron ser manejados adecuadamente con tratamiento médico.

Introduction: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an autoimmune disease that presents with multiple ENT manifestations. Subglottic stenosis (SGS) has been reported in 8-50% of the patients. Aim: To describe the clinical presentation and treatment of SGS in patients with GPA. Material and method: Retrospective review of clinical data from all patients consulting in the Otolaryngology department at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile from 2011 to 2015 with SGS and GPA diagnosis. Results: Ten patients (90% female) with average age at diagnosis of44.6 years. The symptoms were: dyspnea (9/10), dysphonia (6/10) and stridor (5/10). SGS was the initial presenting manifestation of GPA in 80% of patients. GPA was localized in 90% and systemic in 10% of patients, and anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) were negative in 60% of patients. Systemic glucocorticoids were used in every patient, associated with immunosuppressants and/or monoclonal antibodies. One patient required tracheostomy and 2 patients were treated with endoscopic balloon dilation associated with local methylprednisolone injection. Conclusions: SGS can be GPA’s initial or unique manifestation. Diagnosis is hindered due to the unspecificity ofsymptoms and the high probability of presenting with negative ANCA. Individualized and multidisciplinary treatment is required. Most patients were treated pharmacologically with an adequate response in our series.

Hendidura laríngea: diagnóstico y tratamiento quirúrgico endoscópico. Presentación de 2 casos / Laryngeal cleft: Diagnosis and endoscopic surgical treatment. Report of 2 cases

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Diagnóstico y tratamiento de las estenosis subglóticas en pediatría: experiencia en un hospital de alta complejidad / Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric subglottic stenosis: experience in a tertiary care center

La estenosis subglótica es una de las causas más frecuentes de obstrucción de la vía aérea en pediatría. El 90% son secundarias a la intubación endotraqueal. El diagnóstico se sustenta en la clínica del paciente, la evaluación radiológica, la laringoscopía flexible y la endoscopía rígida de la vía aérea bajo anestesia general. Debe sospecharse en niños con dificultad respiratoria posextubación. La conducta terapéutica dependerá de la gravedad de la estenosis subglótica y de la sintomatología del paciente. Describimos nuestra experiencia en cuanto a las etiologías de las estenosis subglóticas, el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y la evolución de pacientes con esta patología.

Subglottic stenosis is among the most common causes of airway obstruction in children, 90% of which resulting from endotracheal intubation. The diagnosis is based on the patient's clinical, radiologic evaluation, flexible laryngoscopy and rigid airway endoscopy under general anesthesia. It must be suspected in children with respiratory distress after extubation. The therapeutic approach depends on the severity of the subglottic stenosis and the patient's symptoms. We describe our experience with the subglottic stenosis etiologies, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of patients with this condition.

Estenosis subglótica adquirida en paciente quirúrgico pediátrico / Acquired subglottic stenosis in a pediatric surgical patient

Introducción: la estenosis subglótica se define como un estrechamiento parcial o completo de la subglotis, la cual está localizada a nivel del cartílago cricoides, esta puede ser congénita o adquirida.Objetivo: describir la enfermedad, exponer las características clínicas y la conducta que se realizó en una paciente con estenosis subglótica. Caso Clínico:paciente con antecedentes de prematuridad y ano imperforado, con administracion de anestesia general endotraqueal en múltiples ocasiones para procedimientos quirúrgicos y ventilación mecánica postoperatoria, en la cual se realiza diagnóstico presuntivo de estenosis subglótica adquirida y se remite a consulta de otorrinolaringología para su estudio.Conclusiones: en todo paciente pediátrico que haya tenido antecedentes de intubación y ventilación mecánica prolongada, debe sospecharse de una estenosis subglótica adquirida al impedirse la progresión endotraqueal de las cánulas según su edad; y que requieran varios intentos de intubación con diámetros decrecientes, aún en ausencia de síntomas y signos clínicos(AU)

Introduction: subglottic stenosis is defined as partial or total narrowing of the subglottis, located at the cricoid cartilage level. Subglottic stenosis may be congenital or acquired. Objective: describe the disease and present the clinical characteristics and the management of a female patient with subglottic stenosis. Clinical case: a female patient with a history of prematurity and imperforate anus, and administration of endotracheal general anesthesia on numerous occasions for surgical procedures and postoperative mechanical ventilation, is presumptively diagnosed with acquired subglottic stenosis and referred to otorhinolaryngology consultation for study. Conclusions: pediatric patients with a history of intubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation should be suspected of acquired subglottic stenosis when insertion of an endotracheal cannula suitable for their age is not possible and they require several intubation attempts with decreasing diameters, even in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms(AU)

Estenosis subglótica: reporte de casos / Subglottic stenosis: case report

Introducción: La estenosis subglótica (ES) plantea un desafío clínico constante dado su alta morbimortalidad, diversidad de causas, localización, severidad y variedad de procedimientos terapéuticos. Objetivos: Determinar el perfil de pacientes con diagnóstico de ES, evaluar el tratamiento y sus resultados. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo mediante revisión de fichas clínicas de pacientes con ES entre 2008 y 2011. Se describen las características demográficas, factores de riesgo, sintomatología, tipo y grado de estenosis, tratamiento, porcentaje de decanulación y complicaciones. Resultados: 17 pacientes adultos fueron incluidos. Edad promedio: 51 ± 14,37 años. Sexo: 70,6% femenino, 29,4% masculino. El principal síntoma fue la disnea (76,5%). La ES con compromiso sólo de partes blandas (88,2%) y el grado III de severidad fueron predominantes. El tratamiento incluyó procedimientos endoscópicos (47%) y quirúrgicos abiertos (41%). La cirugía abierta, como único tratamiento o segundo paso presentó un porcentaje de decanulación menor al manejo endoscópico. La dilatación con broncoscopio presentó una tasa de éxito de 63%. La tasa de decanulación general fue 58,8%. Conclusiones: La ES es una patología compleja. La baja tasa de sospecha, sintomatología inespecífica y el retraso en la consulta hace necesaria la creación de equipos de vía aérea multidisciplinarios para su pesquisa y manejo.

Introduction: Subglottic stenosis (SE) pose a constant clinical challenge because it's high morbidity and mortality, diversity of causes, location, severity and variety of treatment procedures. Aim: Determine the profile of patients with SE and evaluate the treatment and its results. Material and method: Retrospective descriptive study by reviewing medical records of patients with SE between 2008 and 2011. Demographic characteristics, risk factors, symptoms, type and degree of stenosis, treatment, decannulation percentage and complications were described. Results: 17 adult patients were included. Average age: 51 ± 14.37 years. Sex: 70.6% female and 29.4% male. The main symptom was dyspnea (76.5%). The SE with only soft tissue involvement (88.2%) and grade III severity were predominant. For treatment endoscopic procedures (47%) and open surgery were used (41%). Open surgical technique as unique treatment or as a second step, was less successful compared to endoscopic treatment. Bronchoscopic dilatation had a success rate of 63%. The overall decannulation rate was 58.8%. Conclusions: The SE is a complex pathology. The low rate of suspicion, nonspecific symptoms and delay in medical consultation requires the creation of multidisciplinary teams for diagnosis and management.

Estenosis subglótica secundaria a granulomatosis de Wegener: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Subglottic stenosis secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis: a case report and literature review

La granulomatosis de Wegener es una enfermedad multisistémica de origen autoinmune con numerosas manifestaciones otorrinolaringológicas. Dentro de éstas destaca la estenosis subglótica que puede eventualmente comprometer la vida del paciente. Su diagnóstico requiere un alto grado de sospecha, pues se ha visto que su desarrollo es independiente de la actividad de la enfermedad sistémica y debe basarse principalmente en la visión endoscópica de la lesión. El tratamiento de la estenosis subglótica en pacientes con granulomatosis de Wegener es complejo, requiere a menudo de repetidas intervenciones debido a reestenosis. Actualmente, no existe consenso en la técnica quirúrgica más adecuada, por lo que la decisión final deberá basarse en la evaluación de cada caso en particular. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con estenosis subglótica y granulomatosis de Wegener atendido en nuestro servicio y revisamos la literatura con énfasis en las alternativas de tratamiento de esta enfermedad.

Wegener's granulomatosis is a autoimmune systemic disease with numerous upper respiratory tract manifestations. Among these, subglottic stenosis represents a potentially lethal complication. Its diagnosis is complicated by the fact that it develops independently from the systemic disease, as it is mainly based on endoscopic examination. Treating subglottic stenosis in patients suffering from Wegener's granulomatosis is complex, it often requires repeated interventions due to restenosis. There is no current consensus on the most adequate surgical technique, and thus it must be evaluated and decided on a case-to-case basis. We present the case of a subglottic stenosis and Wegener's granulomatosis patient from our department. In addition, we reviewed the literature, emphasizing treatment alternatives.

Flow-volume loops: clinical correlation

Flow volume loops are an essential part of spirometry testing. Their appearance can give information that can be helpful in the differential diagnosis of a patient's clinical condition. We present two clinical scenarios in which careful evaluation of the flow-volume loop gives an insight into the cause of the disease process.

Estenosis laringotraqueal: estudio retrospectivo / Laringotraqueal stenosis: retrospective review

El manejo de la estenosis laringotraqueal permanece como uno de los problemas más desafiantes para el otorrinolaringólogo, un estudio retrospectivo fue realizado a 27 pacientes tratados en el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello del Hospital Central Militar entre 1990 y 1998. La mayor parte fueron adultos, la edad promedio fue 36.2 años, de éstos, 14 mujeres y 13 hombres, con un promedio de 10.8 días de intubación, 21 pacientes fueron traqueotomizados, el sitio más frecuente de estenosis fue la subglotis, en relación a la severidad, el grado III de Cotton fue el de mayor incidencia, procedimientos endoscópicos se realizaron con éxito en estenosis grado I-II de Cotton, y las técnicas externas fueron más efectivas para estenosis complejas, laringotraqueoplastía con injerto de costilla más conformador interno fue el procedimiento que tuvo mayor éxito en estenosis subglóticas y la resección de la estenosis con anastomosis término-terminal para estenosis traqueales.

Manejo de las estenosis subgloticas. revisión 1993-1997 / Management of subglottic stenosis. a 1993-1997 review

Antecedentes. De las estenosis de la vía aérea superior, las localizadas en el área subglótica son de las más dificiles de resolver. Estas lesiones han sido abordadas endoscópicamente o por vías externas, existiendo ventajas y limitaciones con todas las técnicas. Presentamos una serie de 50 pacientes manejados con resección parcial del cartílago cricoides con apastomosis tráqueo-tiroidea en el Hospital de Especialidades Centro Médico Nacional de la Ciudad de México en un periodo de 5 años. Métodos. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de 42 adultos y 8 niños con estenosis subglótica. Se recabó información sobre la edad, sexo, causa de la estenosis, tiempo de duración, procedimientos diagnósticos, técnica quirúrgica y resultado del tratamiento. La edad media fue de 24 años. Hubo 36 hombres y 14 mujeres. La mayoría de los pacientes tenían historia de intubación prolongada, con un tiempo medio de 17 días. El padecimiento de base que requirió de intubación en 24 pacientes fue politraumatismo. En el momento de la evaluación, 29 portaban traqueostomía, 6 de ellos en el primer anillo traqueal con lesión cricoidea. Las lesiones y resultados fueron evaluados por endoscopía y tomografía lineal. Resultados. No hubo fallecimientos. Treinta de los 42 adultos (93 por ciento) y 7 de los 8 niños (87 por ciento) pudieron ser decanulados exitosamente. Conclusiones. La estenosis subglótica parece ocurrir predominantemente posterior a intubación prolongada. En los grados II, III y IV la resección parcial del cartílago cricoides con anastomosis traqueo-tiroidea parece ser la técnica mas exitosa

Estenosis laringotraqueal. Etiología y tratamiento en el Hospital Central Militar / Laringo-tracheal stenosis. Ethiology and treatment in the Military Central Hospital

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, observacional y descriptivo en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 1992 y mayo de 1997 en el Hospital Central Militar, en el que se buscaron los casos de pacientes con estenosis laringotraqueal congénita o adquirida que acudieron a consulta por ese motivo al Servicio de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello, de ambos sexos y de cualquier edad. Se estudiaron 38 pacientes en los que se identificó el sitio de la estenosis, la causa, el resultado del tratamiento, las complicaciones piscológicas y el número de casos por año que acudieron a consulta al Hospital Central Militar; 18 pacientes (47 por ciento) presentaron estenosis subglótica y 4 (10 por ciento), estenosis combinada. La causa más común (76 por ciento) fue trauma laríngeo interno por intubación endotraqueal, seguida de trauma laríngeo externo por accidentes automovilísticos y riñas (10 por ciento), congénitas (5 por ciento), infecciosas (5 por ciento) e idiopáticas (2 por ciento). El tratamiento primario incluyó resección del tejido de granulación con LASER o dilatación con broncoscopio, fue satisfactorio en 24 pacientes (63 por ciento), y no satisfactorio en 4 pacientes (10.5 por ciento). Las complicaciones psicológicas se presentaron en 7 (18 por ciento). La frecuencia promedio por año fue de 6 casos

Neonatal stridor: a life-threatening condition

Stridor, when present since birth, should alert the physician of the possibility of a major cause of airway obstruction. In some cases, it can be life-threatening if timely and adequate intervention is not performed. In this report we discuss an infant who presented with stridor since birth. It's clinical picture, diagnostic approach and management are reviewed. The use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy as the most important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of stridor is emphasized and prompt referral for proper evaluation is recommended