Acquired Subglottic Stenosis
Acquired subglottic stenosis results from trauma to the subglottic mucosa followed by aberrant healing and scar formation. Some of the histological correlates of subglottic injury have been defined and are displayed below. However, the reason why some children heal aberrantly after mucosal injury is unknown. Likely genetic variation in mechanisms of wound healing as well as the environmental milieu in which healing occurs, contribute to excessive scar formation after injury. The pictures below are from cadaveric studies of Hollinger LD and Tucker GF, Jr.
1. Histology of a normal subglottis:
2. Position of endotracheal tube within the subglottic lumen:
3. Glottic granulation tissue (most common acute injury to the glottis):
4. Glandular Hyperplasia:
5. Mucosal Ulceration:
6. Deposition of Fibrous tissue:
7. Posterior Glottic Stenosis:
8. Fibrosis and distortion of cricoid cartilage:
