Matrix Biology of Tracheobronchomalacia and Tracheal Stenosis

It is not clearly understood what causes tracheobronchomalacia (weakening of the windpipe and airways) or tracheal stenosis (narrowing of the windpipe). We plan to take biopsies (small pieces of tissue) and brushings (to collect the cells that form the lining of the airway) from the airways of patients with these diseases and analyze these samples in a laboratory to try and determine the mechanism of disease. We will compare the results with that of patients with normal airways.