Stenoza

Stenoza is the medical term used in several languages, including Romanian, to denote stenosis—the abnormal narrowing of a hollow organ, duct, or vessel. It is a sign or consequence of an underlying process rather than a single disease. Stenoza can affect any tubular structure, with arterial, venous, cardiac, neural, and gastrointestinal examples widely described.

Common forms include arterial stenoza, such as carotid or renal artery stenosis, which can restrict blood flow and raise the risk of stroke or hypertension. Valvular stenoza, notably aortic or mitral stenosis, narrows a heart valve and can cause chest pain, breathlessness, or heart failure. Spinal and nasal stenoza reduce canal or airway diameter, leading to pain, claudication, or obstruction. Esophageal stenoza produces swallowing difficulties.

Causes vary and may include atherosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, congenital valve malformations, inflammatory diseases, or post-surgical scarring. Risk factors include age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Diagnosis relies on imaging and functional assessment. Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, echocardiography, and invasive catheter-based measurements help quantify the narrowing and its hemodynamic impact.

Treatment targets the underlying cause and the functional consequences. Medical management may include antihypertensives, statins, or antiplatelet therapy. Revascularization techniques such as angioplasty with or without stenting, or surgical repair or valve replacement, are employed for significant stenoses. Prognosis depends on location and severity and improves with timely treatment.