Airway Disorders
The larynx regulates breathing, and dysfunction of the laryngeal mechanism can cause life-threatening respiratory obstruction. Such damage can occur not only from trauma but also from more subtle insults such as intubation for surgery, damage from smoking or chemical inhalation and reflux disease. There are also medical conditions that can cause difficulty breathing such as neurologic and functional laryngeal disorders, and laryngeal masses and tumors.
Our laryngologists diagnose and treat breathing problems arising from the larynx and trachea (this does not include asthma, chronic bronchitis, and restrictive lung diseases).
Dr. Kevin Pereira oversee this program, which works to provide comprehensive care for all adult and pediatric airway disorders.
Among the disorders most commonly seen are:
- Vocal fold paralysis
- Laryngeal or tracheal scarring
- Complications of tracheotomy
- Tracheomalacia
- Subglottic stenosis
- Paradoxical vocal fold motion disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea and sleep disordered breathing
Comprehensive services include:
- Laryngoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
- Respiratory retraining
- Rehabilitation of vocal fold paralysis
- Tracheotomy Decannulation Evaluation
- Surgical management of airway disease
Evaluation will include endoscopy and radiologic testing. All contributing medical comorbidities will be controlled (ie reflux disease, asthma, infection).
Treatment may include:
- Airway widening surgery
- Botulinum toxin treatments
- Airway laser procedures
- Placement of tracheal stents, t-tubes, or cannulas.
Evaluation for tracheotomy decannulation is also performed.
