Subglottic stenosis misdiagnosed as asthma: a case report

Abstract

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (ISGS) is a rare condition of unknown aetiology that is characterised by circumferential stenosis of the larynx and upper trachea. Subglottic stenosis can be congenital, acquired or iatrogenic. Acquired subglottic stenosis can occur as a result of infection, trauma, iatrogenic (post-intubation) or idiopathic. We report a patient with ISGS that was misdiagnosed with asthma. Subglottic stenosis was diagnosed after formal endoscopic evaluation and treated with balloon dilatation.