The compromised airway: tumors, strictures, and tracheomalacia

Surg Clin North Am. 2010 Oct;90(5):1065-89. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2010.06.004.

Abstract

Airway obstruction caused by intrinsic laryngeal and tracheal disorders requires a systematic diagnostic approach, including a careful bronchoscopic examination. Tumors of the upper airway are most often malignant; except for the larynx, metastatic lesions predominate. Among the inflammatory strictures, intubation injuries remain common in developed countries. Tracheomalacia related to chronic obstructive lung disease causes high-grade, chronic, long-segment airway obstruction. The surgical treatment for each group of these disorders is described.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / diagnosis
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology*
  • Airway Obstruction / surgery
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / adverse effects
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Laryngoscopy
  • Laryngostenosis / complications
  • Laryngostenosis / diagnosis
  • Laryngostenosis / surgery
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / complications
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tracheal Stenosis / complications
  • Tracheal Stenosis / diagnosis
  • Tracheal Stenosis / surgery
  • Tracheomalacia