Diagnosis of Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Airway obstructions are diagnosed by evaluating your signs and symptoms. Doctors look for signs that include:

alterations in your normal breathing pattern, whether rapid or shallow breathing
decreased breath sounds in your lungs
high-pitched breath sounds in the upper airway or mouth
no breathing
bluish skin color
unconsciousness

Certain tests may also be used to determine the cause of your airway obstruction. During an emergency, your doctor will likely order an X-ray first to determine the cause of your symptoms.

If an X-ray fails to determine the cause of the obstruction, your doctor may choose to order more advanced testing. This may include a bronchoscopy. During this procedure, your doctor inserts an instrument called a bronchoscope through your mouth or nose to look into your lungs for any foreign bodies.

Bronchoscopy can also help your doctor evaluate different causes of obstruction. This includes tracheomalacia (weakness and collapse of the trachea). It also includes infectious causes, such as mucous plugging in patients with chronic lung conditions like emphysema and cystic fibrosis.

Your doctor may also order a laryngoscopy. During this procedure, your doctor will examine your larynx with an instrument called a laryngoscope.

Additional tests may include a CT scan of the head, neck, or chest to determine other sources of obstruction, such as epiglottitis (an infection and inflammation of the epiglottis). The epiglottis is the flap of tissue that protects and covers your trachea to prevent food and foreign bodies from entering.