Relapsing diffuse idiopathic tracheal stenosis in a child: Dilemmas in management

Summary 

Subglottic stenosis is a common presentation of biphasic stridor in young children, however a rarer cause of biphasic stridor is tracheal stenosis. Causes of acquired non-neoplastic diffuse tracheal stenosis include Wegener's granulomatosis, sarcoidosis, TB, relapsing polychondritis, and thermal trauma. However, on occasions no pathological process or agent can be identified as the aetiological factor. In such instances this is defined as idiopathic tracheal stenosis. In this paper, we present the causes of diffuse tracheal stenosis, and propose a sensible pathway for management where a causative agent cannot be elucidated including the use of balloon dilatation within an endotracheal tube.

Keywords: Idiopathic, Trachea, Stenosis, Management, Balloon dilation, Endotracheal tube