Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: A Comparison of Tracheal Size

Objective:

To assess the size of the cervical and thoracic trachea among female patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (SGS).

Methods:

Computed tomography (CT) scans of neck/chest from female patients with idiopathic SGS (n = 7) and normal controls (n = 30) were analyzed. Only female patients were included. The diameter and cross-sectional area of the trachea were measured at the level of the subglottic larynx, mid-cervical trachea, and mid-thoracic trachea. Measurements of tracheal size were compared between groups.

Results:

Patients with idiopathic SGS were found to have a significantly smaller cross-sectional area throughout the course of the cervical and thoracic trachea as compared to normal controls.

Conclusions:

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis is a rare but distinct subclass of subglottic stenosis characterized by smaller cross-sectional area throughout the course of the subglottic, cervical, and thoracic trachea.

Level of Evidence:

3b: Individual case-control study

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