Some people develop a narrowing of their windpipe (trachea), called benign tracheal stenosis, which can make it hard to breathe. Doctors often treat this by using a bronchoscope-a thin, flexible tube with a camera-to open up the airway or remove scar tissue. While these procedures help patients breathe better, we do not fully understand why the narrowing occurs or how the tissue heals afterward.
The purpose of this study is to better understand the biological changes in the airway tissue before and after these standard medical procedures. During the procedure, small samples of tissue that would already be collected as part of normal care will be analyzed in the laboratory. The results may help doctors learn more about airway healing and could guide better treatments in the future.
symptomatic tracheal stenosis
idiopathic subglottic stenosis
iatrogenic tracheal stenosis from intubation or tracheostomy
positive ANA or ANCA
tracheal stenosis from infection, i.e. TB
tracheal stenosis with cartilage fracture
tracheal stenosis with malacia