The study objective is to characterize the airway abnormalities in a series of patients with subglottic stenosis (SGS) as they relate to etiology and risk factors. Retrospective review, academic medical center. Airway characteristics, patient demographics, and suspected risk factors were recorded from a database of SGS cases from 2001 to 2004. Thirty-seven patients with SGS were identified; 22 of 37 had isolated SGS (59%). Intubation (10 of 37, 27%), high tracheotomy (4 of 37, 11%), and reflux (5 of 37, 14%) comprised the bulk of cases; 13 of 37 (35%) were considered idiopathic. Of 22 patients with isolated SGS, the majority 18 of 22 (P = 0.06) were women, 59% of which were idiopathic. Multiple-level cases (0 of 15) were idiopathic (P < 0.001). Intubation was the most common cause of multiple site stenosis (6 of 15, 40%). The majority of patients in this study had isolated lesions. These patients tend to have no apparent risk factors. Multi-level cases are associated with prolonged intubation and known injuries. The nature of "idiopathic" stenoses is discussed. Clinical examination of SGS may be meaningful in understanding the etiology of the stenosis.