The Gasping Syndrome
Patient has an abrupt sense of smothering or gasping. This can last a few seconds or several hours, and can occur almost weekly. He or she responds by taking a deep breath, but there is no relief and the sensation remains.
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA)
A newer term for the auto-immune disorder previously called Wegener’s Granulomatosis. Airway Stenosis Caused By Wegener’s Granulomatosis, Before and After Dilations Tags
Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis
Idiopathic (unknown cause) inflammatory subglottic stenosis is a frustrating breathing problem seen mostly in women. It appears to be an autoimmune disorder that we have thought for many years to be an incomplete expression (forme fruste) of Wegener’s Granulomatosis, aka granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). In a caseload of perhaps 125 patients, it appears that standard […]
Subglottic Stenosis
Subglottic stenosis is narrowing just below the vocal cords, in the lowest part of the larynx and immediately above the first tracheal ring. Examples of causes include scarring from a breathing tube used during a long ICU stay, Wegener’s Granulomatosis (aka Granulomatosis with polyangiitis), and idiopathic subglottic stenosis (aka limited Wegener’s Granulomatosis). Subglottic Stenosis, after […]
Vocal Cord Synechia
Vocal cord synechia is a strand of scar tissue that tethers the vocal cords to each other. It can prevent the vocal cords from opening fully for breathing. A synechia can also form in other parts of the body. (Note the subglottic synechia shown below.) Photos: Vocal Cord Synechia: Before, During, and After Surgery Ossified […]
Stenosis
Abnormal narrowing of a passageway in the body. At our practice, stenosis typically refers to narrowing in the breathing passage, such as for narrowing in the glottic, subglottic, or tracheal areas. Stenosis in the airway can be the result of prolonged endotracheal intubation, external trauma such as gunshot wound, crush injury, or tracheotomy, an inflammatory […]
Pharyngocele
Pharyngocele is a dilated outpouching from the normal contour of the pharynx. Tags
Redundant Supraglottic Mucosa
An excess of mucosa overlying one or more structures in the larynx above the vocal cords. Mucosa in this area should “fit” snugly, like leggings, but in the case of redundant supraglottic mucosa, the fit becomes more like baggy pants. Symptoms and treatment: This redundant supraglottic mucosa most commonly develops on the apex and posterior […]
Nonorganic Breathing Disorder, Laryngeal
Laryngeal nonorganic breathing disorder is when a person’s vocal cords partially or fully close during breathing, which causes noisy breathing. Also called vocal cord dysfunction (VFD) or vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). The fundamental disorder is not in the mechanism itself, but rather in the patient’s “use” of the mechanism. Consciously or sub-consciously, the patient inappropriately […]
Nonorganic Breathing Disorder, Tracheal
A breathing disorder, often mistaken for asthma, in which a person induces his or her trachea to narrow, causing wheezing or apparent shortness of breath. The person’s oxygen saturation remains normal, but his or her description of the problem and apparent breathing distress may be quite dramatic; in severe instances, the person may have been […]