Idiopathic subglottic stenosis in pregnancy: A deceptive laryngoscopic view

The role of local expression of hormone receptors in the genesis of idiopathic tracheal stenosis

Background

Tracheal stenosis in adults is usually the result of mechanical injuries either from direct trauma, tracheotomy or intubation. Idiopathic stenosis in the cricotracheal section is a rare condition and occurs almost exclusively in females. Therefore, an influence of the female sexual hormones estrogen and progesterone has been assumed previously.

Methods

Tracheal specimens of 27 patients who received tracheal resection for either idiopathic tracheal stenosis (ITS) (n=11) or posttraumatic tracheal stenosis (PTTS) (n=16) between 2008 and 2019 in our surgical department were included and retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining of tracheal specimens concerning the hormone receptor status of progesterone and estrogen was performed.

Results

While post-tracheotomy stenosis occurred in males (n=6) as well as in females (n=10), none of the patients with idiopathic stenosis were males. All of the idiopathic stenosis (n=11; 100%) showed a strong expression of the estrogen receptors (ERs) in the fibroblasts and expression of progesterone receptors (PRs) in fibroblasts in 8 of 11 (72.7%). In the post-tracheotomy patients, only 3/16 (18.8%) showed slight staining of PRs and 6/16 (37.5%) of ERs. Of those, only one male patient presented with expression of ERs and PRs and another male patient presented with isolated PRs. Oral intake of hormone compounds was seen in 11/27 (40.7%) patients: 7/11 (63.6%) in the ITS group and 4/16 (25%) in the PTTS (noteworthy that the PTTS group included 6 male patients).

Conclusions

Although the number of patients is small, our results show that the expression of female sexual hormone receptors in the fibroblasts of the trachea is a persistent finding in ITS. Surgery provided good results with a favorable long-term outcome without recurrence of stenosis for ITS and PTTS. Further investigation with a special focus on hormones is needed to assist in the prevention of this rare disease.

Subglottic tracheal stenosis complicating pregnancy: A case report

The case presented details an uncommon case of subglottic tracheal stenosis exacerbated by pregnancy. We outine the multidisciplinary management involved and the outcomes for the pregnancy. The case serves as a reminder that shortness of breath in pregnancy has a broad differential diagnosis, and stridor is always abnormal.

Endoscopic management of idiopathic subglottic stenosis in pregnancy

Aims

To describe the use of laser, endoscopic balloon dilatation with jet ventilation anaesthesia in the treatment of pregnant women with idiopathic subglottic stenosis.

Materials and methods

This is a case review of pregnant women with idiopathic subglottic stenosis, presenting to a tertiary referral centre with worsening breathlessness. Data were extracted from patient case notes.

Results

Four women underwent surgical management of subglottic stenosis in pregnancy. One patient required two procedures during the course of their pregnancy due to restenosis. All women had improvement in symptoms post-operatively and went on to deliver healthy babies at term.

Conclusion

Endoscopic balloon dilatation of idiopathic subglottic stenosis is a safe and viable treatment option in pregnancy and should be offered as first-line treatment in symptomatic women.

Unexpected difficult tracheal intubation secondary to subglottic stenosis leading to emergency front-of-neck airway

A 26-year-old woman presenting for an elective day case procedure under general anaesthesia had undiagnosed subglottic stenosis leading to a life threatening airway emergency requiring emergency front-of-neck airway. We outline the case and discuss key anaesthetic considerations in subglottic stenosis, including concerning features of a medical/anaesthetic history and the potential for rapid deterioration of a stenotic airway following manipulation. We also consider the effect of anaesthesia on the calibre of subglottic stenosis and the effects of positive pressure ventilation. Subglottic stenosis is a rare condition with congenital, acquired and idiopathic origins; however, iatrogenic trauma is the most common cause. We are aware of a small number of published case reports of previously undiagnosed subglottic stenosis in adults discovered after induction of anaesthesia; situational deterioration to 'cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate' scenarios appear even rarer.

Successful management of subglottic stenosis in pregnancy

Evaluation and management of subglottic stenosis in pregnancy is challenging. It often is not only a multidisciplinary approach between obstetricians, otolaryngologists (ENT surgeons) and anesthesiologists, but also requires a thorough understanding of possible foreseen complications by the patient as well. Hence, whenever we are presented with a challenging case requiring multidisciplinary approach involving team of physicians from different specialties, it is routine practice to huddle regarding the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management and care. We present a case of a 37-year-old woman with a known history of idiopathic subglottic stenosis, 16 weeks' pregnant, G4P1, with a surgical history significant for two previous subglottic dilations in the past and who now presented with an audible stridor and shortness of breath on activity. We highlighted the unique challenges encountered and the corresponding management adopted. This is a case of successful management of symptomatic worsening of subglottic stenosis managed during pregnancy.

Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis during Pregnancy: A Support Group Survey

OBJECTIVES

(1) To determine how pregnancy affects idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) symptoms. (2) To determine treatments utilized (including operating room (OR) and in-office procedures) for iSGS before, during, and after pregnancy.

METHODS

A 24-question survey was distributed to an international iSGS support group to assess the patient experience among individuals who have been pregnant with diagnosis of iSGS. Descriptive statistics and chi² analyses were completed.

RESULTS

A total of 413 iSGS patients participated; 84.7% (n = 350) of patients were diagnosed prior to menopause. A total of 25.5% patients reported being pregnant when they had airway stenosis; 71.1% of those reported more severe airway symptoms during pregnancy. The proportion of patients that reported requiring ≥1 OR interventions (microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, laser, balloon dilation, or steroid injection) before, during and after pregnancy was the following, respectively: 37.3%, 35.6%, 51.3%. Whereas the proportion of patients that reported requiring ≥1 in-office interventions (awake balloon dilation or steroid injection) before, during and after pregnancy was the following, respectively: 13.6%, 11.8%, 15.8%. Number of pregnancies and age of diagnosis was not related to severity of symptoms or requiring more airway interventions (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This survey reveals worsening of symptoms during pregnancy, however, this did not lead to increase in operative or clinic interventions to improve airway symptoms during pregnancy. Future avenues for research include optimizing management of airway symptoms during pregnancy to limit OR-based interventions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Management of subglottic stenosis in pregnancy using advanced apnoeic ventilatory techniques

Objective

To describe the use of balloon dilation with non-invasive ventilation in the treatment of pregnant patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis.

Methods

The medical charts of four consecutive patients who underwent jet ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula oxygenation with balloon dilation for the treatment of idiopathic subglottic stenosis during pregnancy were reviewed.

Results

Objective improvement of subglottic stenosis was seen in all four cases, with end-result Myer–Cotton grade 1 lesions down from pre-procedure grade 3 lesions. Patients also reported subjective improvements in symptomatology, with no further airway issues. All patients delivered normally, at term.

Conclusion

Laryngeal dilation with continuous radial expansion pulmonary balloons using non-invasive ventilation for the treatment of idiopathic subglottic stenosis in pregnant patients is safe and efficacious, and should be the first line treatment option for this patient population. The improvement in symptoms, and lack of labour and pregnancy complications, distinguish this method of treatment from others reported in the literature.

Conservative management of subglottic stenosis in pregnancy resulting in vaginal birth

We present a case of subglottic stenosis complicating pregnancy. The patient was born prematurely at 24 weeks gestation and required a twelve-month period of intubation. Airway trauma from prolonged intubation resulted in acquired subglottic stenosis. As an adult the patient had a longstanding audible stridor; however, was not breathless during activity before or during pregnancy. The patient went into spontaneous labour at 37+4 weeks and delivered vaginally with epidural analgesia. This case is significant, as no cases of a patient with such a degree of stenosis delivering vaginally without airway treatment have been reported.