We aimed to determine the prevalence of symptomatic subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis); we also wanted to characterise the clinical outcomes and surgical interventions required, and the relapse rate in our cohort.

We undertook a retrospective clinical review of all granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients with symptomatic subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis attending St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Symptomatic subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis developed in 16 per cent of granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients attending our clinic. The median age of patients at diagnosis was 44 years (range: 34–81 years); 78 per cent of those presenting with subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis were women and 22 per cent were men. All patients were white; 67 per cent of patients were proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive and 67 per cent developed relapsing disease requiring repeated surgical intervention. Subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis relapse was not associated with active systemic vasculitis elsewhere.

Subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis is an uncommon but significant complication of granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Management of subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis requires a multi-disciplinary approach, with both rheumatological and otolaryngological expertise involved, given the relapsing nature of the disease.