[Subglottic tracheal stenosis in Wegener's granulomatosis. Report of 3 cases]

We describe a 3 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis in remission while taking cyclophosphamide and prednisone who developed upper airway obstruction. The diagnosis was confirmed by parotid gland, pharynx, kidney biopsy. The stenosis developed in the area of previously noted tracheal ulceration and responded satisfactorily to bronchoscopic dilatation. Tracheotomy for progressive upper airway obstruction has remained the mainstay of treatment and was necessary in one of cases. We presented the others techniques of treatment subglottic stenosis-the surgical intervention and carbon dioxide laser photoresection. No antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were found in the patients serum. These antibodies are of auxiliary value in recognizing Wegener's granulomatosis as well as in monitoring the activity of the disease process.