Tracheal stenosis

Last revised by Masoud Farhadi on 13 Feb 2024

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Radswiki T, Farhadi M, Elfeky M, et al. Tracheal stenosis. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-15607

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-15607

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/15607

rID:

15607

Article created:

29 Oct 2011, The Radswiki ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created The Radswiki had no recorded disclosures.

View The Radswiki's current disclosures

Last revised:

13 Feb 2024, Masoud Farhadi

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Masoud Farhadi had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Masoud Farhadi's current disclosures

Revisions:

10 times, by 7 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Chest, Paediatrics

Synonyms:

Stenosis of the trachea
Stenosis of trachea

Tracheal stenosis is usually acquired following intubation or tracheostomy. It can also arise as part of the spectrum of tracheobronchial stenosis.

Pathology

Inflammation and pressure necrosis of the tracheal mucosa most commonly occur at either the tracheostomy stoma or at the level of the tube balloon. Acute post-intubation stenosis results from mucosal oedema or granulation tissue.

Post-intubation stenosis can extend for several centimetres and typically involves trachea above the level of the thoracic inlet.

Post-tracheostomy stenosis typically begins 1 to 1.5 cm distal to the inferior margin of the tracheostomy stoma and involves 1.5 to 2.5 cm of tracheal wall.

In patients with chronic stricture, tracheomalacia may result from weakness of tracheal cartilage and can be a cause of dyspnoea.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Narrowing of tracheal air shadow.

CT

Eccentric or concentric soft tissue thickening internal to normal-appearing tracheal cartilage may be visible. The outer tracheal wall has a normal appearance without evidence of deformity or narrowing. Expiratory CT shows little change in tracheal diameter.