Histopathology of Acquired Subglottic Stenosis

Abstract

The history of a 2,900 g infant who had no stridor at birth and developed subglottic stenosis is presented in detail. The laryngeal lumen, which accepted a 3 mm endotracheal tube at one day of age, diminished to total occlusion at 15 months of age. There was an 8-day intubation and tracheotomy at nine months. At 19 months the patient expired from associated cardiac problems; the larynx was obtained at autopsy and was serially sectioned in the horizontal plane. A series (1mm-Tracer) of 12 sections through the stenotic area is presented. It demonstrates gross distortion of the cricoid cartilage with ossification extending into the right paraglottic larynx.