Laryngeal stenosis

Laryngeal stenosis: symptoms, causes and treatment

Laryngeal stenosis is a condition in which there is a significant reduction or complete closure of the lumen of the larynx. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including acute and chronic illnesses. In this article, we will look at the symptoms, causes, and treatments for laryngeal stenosis.

Acute laryngeal stenosis can occur suddenly, lightning fast, or develop gradually over several hours. Observed in true and false croup, acute laryngotracheobronchitis in children, laryngeal edema, phlegmonous laryngitis, chondroperichondritis, foreign body, trauma (mechanical, thermal, chemical), bilateral paralysis of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

Chronic stenoses are characterized by the slow development of narrowing of the lumen of the larynx and its persistence. However, during a period of chronic narrowing of the larynx under unfavorable conditions (inflammation, trauma, hemorrhage, etc.), acute laryngeal stenosis can quickly develop. Chronic stenoses occur due to scar changes in the larynx after injuries, chondroperichondritis, scleroma, diphtheria, syphilis, tumors.

Symptoms of laryngeal stenosis depend on the stage of the disease. At the first stage of compensation, the patient may experience a loss of pause between inhalation and exhalation, prolongation of inhalation, a reflex decrease in the number of respirations and a normal ratio of the number of respiratory movements and pulse. The voice becomes hoarse, and on inspiration a stenotic noise appears, audible over a considerable distance.

At the second stage of decompensation, all signs of oxygen starvation clearly appear, shortness of breath intensifies, the skin and mucous membranes take on a bluish tint, and when inhaling, a sharp retraction of the intercostal spaces, supra- and subclavian fossae, and the jugular fossa is observed. The patient becomes restless, rushes about, breaks out in a cold sweat, breathing quickens, and the breathing noise increases.

At the third stage of asphyxia (suffocation) it is characterized by a drop in cardiac activity, breathing is rare and shallow, the pallor of the skin increases, patients become lethargic, indifferent to their surroundings, the pupils are dilated, persistent cessation of breathing occurs, loss of consciousness and cardiac activity occur.

The causes of laryngeal stenosis can be varied. Acute laryngeal stenosis can be caused by an allergic reaction, infection, injury, or tumor. Chronic stenosis of the larynx can be the result of scar changes after injury, chondroperichondritis, scleroma, diphtheria, syphilis, tumor or other diseases.

Treatment for laryngeal stenosis depends on the cause and degree of narrowing of the larynx. Acute laryngeal stenosis requires immediate medical intervention, which may include inhalation of oxygen, administration of drugs to dilate the airways, and sometimes a tracheostomy is required. Chronic laryngeal stenosis may require surgery to remove scarring and widen the larynx.

Overall, laryngeal stenosis is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications. Therefore, if symptoms of laryngeal stenosis occur, you should immediately consult a doctor to evaluate the condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.