Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: A Comparison of Tracheal Size

Objective: To assess the size of the cervical and thoracic trachea among female patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (SGS). Methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of neck/chest from female patients with idiopathic SGS (n = 7) and normal controls (n = 30) were analyzed. Only female patients were included. The diameter and cross-sectional area of the trachea were measured at the level of the subglottic larynx, mid-cervical trachea, and mid-thoracic trachea. Measurements of tracheal size were compared between groups. Results: Patients with idiopathic SGS were found to have a significantly smaller cross-sectional area throughout the course of the cervical and thoracic trachea as compared to normal controls. Conclusions: Idiopathic subglottic stenosis is a rare but distinct subclass of subglottic stenosis characterized by smaller cross-sectional area throughout the course of the subglottic, cervical, and thoracic trachea. Level of Evidence: 3b: Individual case-control study.