Airway Stenosis

Airway stenosis (airway narrowing) is a narrowing of the airway caused by malignant and benign tumors, congenital abnormalities, airway injury, endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy, or autoimmune diseases – though sometimes there’s no obvious cause.

Airway stenosis is named according to the location of the narrowing along the airway from the larynx or voice box (laryngeal stenosis, posterior glottic stenosis, or subglottic stenosis) to the trachea (tracheal stenosis) and bronchi (bronchial stenosis).

We feature advanced imaging technology to create a 3-D reconstruction of the area of stenosis for better definition and treatment planning. We work closely with UT Southwestern pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, and speech pathologists to deliver multidisciplinary and comprehensive care.

Symptoms

Airway stenosis or narrowing or the trachea may result in:

• Cough
• Frequent bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis
• A diagnosis of asthma
• Noisy breathing (stridor, wheezing)
• Shortness of breath

Diagnosis

If we suspect that you have airway stenosis, we will conduct a physical examination and order studies to confirm the diagnosis.

Tests, procedures, and advanced imaging modalities provide the necessary information to evaluate and diagnose airway stenosis. These can include:

• Laryngoscopy and tracheoscopy to examine the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe)
• Bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), and other interventional lung procedures
• Chest X-rays (radiographs)
• Cardiac imaging studies
• Computed tomography (CT) with 3-D reconstructions
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Pulmonary laboratory studies
• Ultrasound

Treatments

Our team of highly skilled otolaryngologists, interventional pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons uses a variety of state-of-the-art techniques, including tracheal reconstruction, to preserve the airway (larynx, trachea, and bronchi) and voice.

Treatments include:

• Airway stenting: Use of a hollow tube to hold the trachea open
• Bronchoscopic or balloon dilation (expansion) of the trachea: To allow better airflow
• Laser excision: Use of a laser to destroy abnormal tissue causing the stenosis or obstruction
• Removal or resection and reconstruction of the narrow portion of the trachea: The damaged portion of the airway is removed and the remaining ends are joined together
• Steroid injections into the region of narrowing (stenosis); takes place in the clinic

Related Conditions

Our otolaryngology, interventional pulmonology, and thoracic surgery teams treat the full range of conditions that can be associated with airway stenosis. These include:

• Benign airway tumors
• Bronchial stenosis
• Carinal tumors and stenosis
• Laryngeal stenosis
• Malignant airway tumors
• Subglottic and tracheal stenosis
• Tracheobronchial injuries
• Tracheobronchial malacia

Clinical Trials

UT Southwestern conducts clinical trials aimed at improving the treatment of airway stenosis. Talk with your doctor to see if a clinical trial is right for you.