Tracheal Stenosis

Tracheal stenosis is a narrowing or constriction of the trachea. Most cases of tracheal stenosis develop when a persons trachea is injured after prolonged intubation - when a breathing tube is inserted into the trachea to help maintain breathing during a medical procedure - or from a tracheostomy (surgical opening of the trachea).Tracheal stenosis can also develop from a number of other causes, including external injury to the throat; when a benign or malignant tumor presses on the windpipe; certain autoimmune disorders (polychondritis, sarcoidosis, papillomatosis, amyloidosis and Wegeners granulomatosis); and infections (bacterial and fungal infections as well as tuberculosis). It can also develop as a side effect of radiation therapy when administered to treat a tumor in the head or neck.

Symptoms of Tracheal Stenosis

shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, difficult or labored breathing (dyspnea)
difficult-to-treat asthma diagnosed in an adult, stridor (a high-pitched sound that can be heard as the breath is drawn in and is caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box)
frequent inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis) or recurrent respiratory infections
fatigue and general feeling of discomfort (malaise)
cyanosis (bluish color in the skin or mucous membranes in the mouth or nose).

Diagnosis of Tracheal Stenosis

The diagnosis is by CT scan of the neck and chest and bronchoscopy.

Treatment option or Surgery for Tracheal Stenosis

The treatment consists of dilation (stretching) of the narrowed segment by specialized medical balloons or surgery. Our unit specializes in this complex procedure and we get patients from all over the country and neighbouring countries.