Laryngotracheal stenosis is scar obstructing the voice box and/or trachea. It occurs in patients after breathing tube placement, as a result of autoimmune disease, or for unknown reasons, i.e., “idiopathic.” Women make up more than two-thirds of patients with laryngotracheal stenosis. The gender disparity is due to a combination of factors, including but likely not limited to placement of breathing tubes that are too large relative to the female larynx and trachea, and autoimmune diseases, which generally affect more women than men.
The primary symptom of laryngotracheal stenosis is shortness of breath made worse by exertion. The scar tissue in the enclosed space of the voice box and/or trachea narrows the airway and can affect movement of the vocal cords. Other symptoms include voice changes, such as breathing more frequently when speaking, or less often a hoarse voice.
One of the limitations to current therapies is that it is not known how the scar develops, nor why the scar develops predominately in women. Therefore, treatment is primarily surgical, including tracheostomy, airway dilation, or resection of the scar tissue. While these surgeries improve breathing, the scar usually returns so a majority of patients require serial surgeries for the rest of their lifetime to manage the disease and maintain an adequate airway to breath.
If you or a family member has laryngotracheal stenosis, we recommend seeing an Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon at a large medical center who has extensive experience treating this disease. To learn more about the JHH Complex Airway Clinic, click here.
Click here to read about a patient's experience with laryngotracheal stenosis and how their treatment allowed them to breathe better.
For additional patient support networks, please visit:
Tracheal Stenosis Foundation, Inc.
Living with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis
Tracheal Stenosis Support Group
The primary symptom of laryngotracheal stenosis is shortness of breath made worse by exertion. The scar tissue in the enclosed space of the voice box and/or trachea narrows the airway and can affect movement of the vocal cords. Other symptoms include voice changes, such as breathing more frequently when speaking, or less often a hoarse voice.
One of the limitations to current therapies is that it is not known how the scar develops, nor why the scar develops predominately in women. Therefore, treatment is primarily surgical, including tracheostomy, airway dilation, or resection of the scar tissue. While these surgeries improve breathing, the scar usually returns so a majority of patients require serial surgeries for the rest of their lifetime to manage the disease and maintain an adequate airway to breath.
If you or a family member has laryngotracheal stenosis, we recommend seeing an Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon at a large medical center who has extensive experience treating this disease. To learn more about the JHH Complex Airway Clinic, click here.
Click here to read about a patient's experience with laryngotracheal stenosis and how their treatment allowed them to breathe better.
For additional patient support networks, please visit:
Tracheal Stenosis Foundation, Inc.
Living with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis
Tracheal Stenosis Support Group