David Rosow

Objectives Sequelae of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) can be devastating, often necessitating tracheostomy. This study aims to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with LTS and identify risk factors for long‐term tracheostomy dependence stratified by etiology. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 215 patients diagnosed with LTS from 09/01/2011 to 12/31/2020. Patients were grouped based on the cause of LTS. Patient factors were compared to evaluate risk factors for long‐term tracheostomy dependence. Results Of the 215 patients, 129 (60%) were classified as iatrogenic, 41 (19%) idiopathic, 10 (4.7%) cancer treatment, 18 (8.3%) autoimmune, and 17 (8%) patients unknown. Idiopathic patients were significantly less likely to be tracheostomy‐dependent compared with iatrogenic patients ( p < 0.001) and cancer patients ( p < 0.05). The mortality rate did not significantly differ among the categories ( p = 0.1078). Significant improvement was seen after treatment, as the median percent of stenosis at presentation was 52.5%, and the median percent of stenosis at the most recent visit was 10% ( p < 0.001). The autoimmune group received the most steroid injections (mean = 6.56; SD = 11.96). The idiopathic group had the longest surgery‐free interval (mean = 30.8 months; SD = 27.7). Conclusion Iatrogenic and cancer patients were more likely to be tracheostomy‐dependent. There was a significant improvement in percent and length of stenosis after treatment, with the idiopathic group having the longest surgery‐free interval. Mortality risk did not differ among the different etiologies of LTS. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope , 134:257–263, 2024

Objective This study aimed to compare the prevalence and incidence of vocal fold pathologies among undergraduate classical, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial music (CCM) students over two‐time points. Methods This study is part of a longitudinal investigation. Videostroboscopic examinations were rated, with consensus among three of four expert blinded raters confirming the presence of pathology. Association between genre of singer and the presence of pathology, interrater reliability, and intra‐rater reliability were calculated. Prevalence and incidence of pathologies were compared across genres. Results During first‐year evaluations, 32% of musical theatre, 18% of CCM, and 0% of classical students had vocal pathologies. The prevalence at third‐year evaluations showed 22% of classical, 39% of musical theatre, and 27% of CCM participants having vocal fold pathologies. The incidence of pathologies was 67% of musical theatre students compared to 22% of classical students and 27% of CCM students. The four raters demonstrated fair to moderate interrater agreement. Singing Voice Handicap Index‐10 scores were normal for CCM singers at both time points but elevated for musical theatre and classical singers. Conclusion No classical singers were found to have pathology during first‐year evaluations, although CCM and musical theatre singers showed evidence of vocal fold pathologies. At third‐year evaluations, all three genres had an apparent increase in prevalence of pathologies. Implications of this study suggest that more time in the field and intense voice usage may lead to a greater risk of pathology for all singers, regardless of genre. Level of Evidence 2 Laryngoscope , 133:2317–2324, 2023