• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.439-443
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• 2003

A lower laryngeal and upper tracheal stenosis that is of idiopathic origin is occasionally seen. It is called an idiopathic tracheal stenosis. These circumferential fibrous stenosis is rare and they are most often located in the subglottic larynx and extend to varying distances predominantly in young women. Because of the unknown nature of the disease process and uncertainty about its future progression, patients were approached conservatively. Recently, surgical resection and reconstruction have been increasingly performed, as favorable results were obtained. Three female patients with dyspnea were admitted. For two patients, they were diagnosed this conditions as bronchial asthma by mistake. All patients were performed computed tomography and bronchoscopy. For two patients with subglottic stenosis, subglottic resection was performed by cervical collar incision, and for the other one patient with distal tracheal stenosis, tracheal resection was performed by right posterolateral thoracotomy. A diagnosis of idipathic tracheal stenosis was confirmed by postoperatively pathologic finding. For one case, because of anastomosis site infection and restenosis, a whole tracheal exposure was performed by cervical collar incision and median sternotomy. And reoperation was peformed successfully.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.450-456
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• 2002

Idiopathic tracheal stenosis is a type of benign stenosis that possesses specific characteristics but is of unknown origin. It is a rare disease characterized by extensive fibrosis of a portion of trachea, and predominantly found in women. The lesion presents as circumferential fibrotic stenosis that usually occurs at upper trachea and the subglottic larynx, but lower trachea may also be involved. Diagnosis is made from the clinical characteristics accompanide by compatible pathologic features and by exclusion of other etiologies. Conservative management such as laser resection, dilatation and stent insertion can be tried initially, but surgical resection is recommended for definitive treatment due to frequent restenosis and maintenance problems of conservative approach. We report a case of idiopathic tracheal stenosis treated with tracheal resection and anastomosis followed by insertion of a retrievable stent for immediate relief of airway obstruction.