Stridor due to a bridge-like subglottic stenosis in a 10-week-old male infant

Abstract

We present an infant with post-intubation stridor caused by a bridge-like subglottic stenosis. At the age of 6 weeks he suffered from a RSV infection with the need for endotracheal intubation. At week 10 acute respiratory distress required a re-intubation. Flexible endoscopy was suggestive for laryngomalacia. Rigid endoscopy revealed a subglottic laterolateral mucosal bridge resulting in a doubling of the airway lumen. Histopathological examination showed a fibrinoid pseudomembrane. Follow up endoscopy showed a grade 1 posterior subglottic stenosis without respiratory compromise. This is the first case in the literature of an infant with a post-intubation bridge-like fibrinoid pseudomembranous subglottic lesion.