TREATMENT OF RECURRENT RESPIRATORY-DISTRE SS DUE TO IDIOPATHIC SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS

Background. Idiopathic subglottic stenosis is a rare cause of acute re spiratory distress, that is difficult to treat (corticosteroids, trach eotomy). Case report. A nine-year-old boy presented with acute respira tory distress due to tracheal stenosis. The symptoms recurred after th e endotracheal inflammatory membranes had been removed with forceps, d espite 6-months of degressive corticotherapy. Absence of other causes of tracheal stenosis and biopsies led to diagnosis of idiopathic subgl ottic stenosis. The patient was treated by CO2 laser followed by degre ssive corticotherapy. The respiratory distress recurred within 3 month s of discontinuing corticosteroids, requiring two further CO2 laser tr eatments. The patient became corticodependent. Conclusions. CO2 laser is an effective, wise alternative treatment of acute respiratory distr ess due to idiopathic subglottic stenosis that can be repeated if nece ssary.