Michael Benninger, MD, Chairman, Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, discusses Wegener’s granulomatosis, the subglottic stenosis that often accompanies this disease, and the treatment challenges.

Summary:
1. Wegener’s patients develop a subglottic stenosis that is difficult to treat but may be amenable to steroid injections and dilatations.
2. While treatment of the vasculitis can prevent stenosis from developing, once it is established it is irreversible.

References and Resources:
White JB, Shah RK. Wegener’s granulomatosis of the pediatric airway: a case demonstrating a conservative management approach. Am J Otolaryngol. 2009 May-Jun;30(3):212-5. Epub 2008 Oct 1.
Solans-Laqué R, Bosch-Gil J, Canela M, Lorente J, Pallisa E, Vilardell-Tarrés M. Clinical features and therapeutic management of subglottic stenosis in patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis. Lupus. 2008 Sep;17(9):832-6. Review.

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Dr. Benninger has disclosed the following:
Consulting Fees: GSK, Alcon, Sanofi-Aventis, Schein
Contracted Research: GSK