We report two patients who had developed postdiphtheritic laryngotracheal stenosis as children and who many years later presented with symptoms related to upper-airway obstruction and cor pulmonale. Prolonged tracheal stenting resulted in relief of symptoms in both patients, with significant improvement in pulmonary function in one of them. Although upper-airway obstruction as a late complication of diphtheria is an unusual cause of cor pulmonale, its recognition is important, as this lesion is potentially treatable.
