Tracheal stenosis is a narrowing of the trachea (windpipe) that
is caused by an injury or a birth defect: Symptoms of tracheal
stenosis can be present shortly after birth or develop after an
acute injury to the trachea. Affected children may present with
rapidly worsening symptoms in the face of an upper respiratory
infection. Symptoms include: Imaging. Evaluation for tracheal
stenosis may include X-rays and more advanced imaging such as CT
or MR imaging. Imaging can provide information not only about
the extent of airway narrowing, but also any other lesions that
might be present such as cardiac problems. Microlaryngoscopy and
bronchoscopy. These diagnostic tests are essential to fully
diagnose and characterize tracheal stenosis. Microlaryngoscopy
and bronchoscopy help differentiate between tracheal lesions and
other lesions in the larynx that can cause stridor and
respiratory distress, and can help show the degree and length of
narrowing in the trachea. Evaluations by pulmonologists and
gastroenterologists.