The narrowing or constriction of the trachea is called tracheal stenosis. Most of the cases of tracheal stenosis are caused due to an injury from prolonged intubation when a breathing tube is placed into the trachea. The breathing tube is inserted during a medical procedure and when the trachea is surgically opened through a process called a tracheostomy.
Narrowing of the trachea can occur due to a number of causes, such as:
External injury to the throat
Autoimmune disorders, such as sarcoidosis, polychondritis, papillomatosis, amyloidosis or Wegener’s granulomatosis.
Bacterial and fungal infections
Tuberculosis
Benign or malignant tumour pressing on the windpipe.
Tracheal stenosis may also result as a side effect when radiation therapy is used to treat a tumour in the head or neck.