Specialist Conditions

Subglottic Haemangiomas

Haemangiomas are a congenital mass of blood vessels.  On the face these are known as strawberry birth marks and are usually left alone as they tend to regress on their own.  When they occur in the airway they tend to arise just beneath the vocal cord on the left hand side.  Even though they also disappear in time they often need treatment if they are blocking the airway.  Small lumps can be helped by steroids either by mouth or injected into the lesion.  Laser has been used in the past but risks scarring.  Current practice is to excise all but the smallest which should provide a cure.  In more complex situations a tracheostomy is occasionally needed.

The 2 latest developments that I am involved in are the use of the microdebrider and the use of Propanalol

View presentations on subglottic haemangioma and on airway obstruction