Long-term Outcome of Airway Stenosis in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener Granulomatosis): An Observational Study

Importance Airway stenosis occurs in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA or Wegener granulomatosis). It produces significant morbidity and contributes to mortality. Objective To investigate the frequency and distribution of airway stenoses in GPA and evaluate the efficacy of local interventions in maintaining airway patency. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective single-center study of 44 patients with GPA and airway stenosis assessed and treated as needed by a multidisciplinary team at a university medical center between 1997 and 2012. The median duration of observation for each patient from the time of diagnosis was 146 months. Interventions Patients who had critical stenoses underwent either dilatation or laser radial cuts to the lesion. In some cases, intralesional administration of steroids or topical mitomycin C was used. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome measure was airway patency for at least 12 months and the number of interventions required to achieve this end point. Details of patients and interventions were recorded at baseline and at each treatment. Results The median age at diagnosis was 37.6 years; 73% of patients were women (n = 34). The median follow-up after the initial intervention was 62.5 months. Subglottic stenosis was found in 36 patients, lower airway stenosis in 30. There were 213 interventions in 39 patients, including balloon and bougie dilatation and laser treatment. Adjuvant local treatment was used in 71 interventions. A 12-month period of airway stability was achieved in 34 of 36 cases (97%) (5 had no procedures and 3 had follow-up shorter than 12 months). The median interval between procedures was 4.9 months, and after the last intervention recorded, patients had at least 27 months of airway stability. Fourteen adverse events were recorded (6.6%). Conclusions and Relevance The frequency and distribution of airway stenoses in 44 patients with GPA has been described. In the 39 patients who required intervention, multiple procedures were required, but 97% then achieved a prolonged period of airway patency. The procedures and adjuvant treatments were found to be safe. Our experience with a variety of techniques in this rare presentation has permitted design of a structured approach and an algorithm to manage and evaluate airway stenosis in GPA.