[Endobronchial ultrasonography in postintubation tracheal stenosis].
The correct evaluation of the tracheal wall's structure is necessary for the management of postintubation tracheal stenosis (PTS). Endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) is suitable for visualisation of layers of the tracheal wall and the assessment of cartilages' damage. The authors assessed the usefulness of EBUS in the anatomical characterization of PTS and in the decision making in its therapy. Between March 2002, and September 2003, 22 patients with PTS were examined by bronchoscopy together with EBUS. 13 patients had complex stenosis and from them destruction of tracheal cartilage was demonstrated in 5 patients. Of them bronchoscopic intervention resulted in only short term symptom free period in 3 patients. The destruction of tracheal cartilage detected by EBUS might be an indication for an early surgical intervention. According to author's results EBUS can be a useful method in evaluation of PTS.