Current clinical propensity of laryngeal tuberculosis: review of 60 cases

Abstract

Although laryngeal tuberculosis is not frequent, it still occurs with an increasing incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Clinical pattern and spread mechanism of this disease have also changed as well. This study was performed to examine the current propensity seen in laryngeal tuberculosis and the clinical characteristics of this disease in patients showing atypical clinical pattern. The medical and videostroboscopic records of 60 patients with laryngeal tuberculosis diagnosed from the year 1994 to 2004 at the department of otorhinolaryngology in Severance Hospital were analyzed. The age of the patients ranged from 25 to 78 years, with their average age being 49.7 years. The ratio between men and women was 1.9:1. The major symptom encountered was hoarseness (96.6%). Clinically, granulomatous (n=22) and ulcerative types (n=11) of laryngeal tuberculosis were still prevalent, however, the incidence of atypical types such as polypoid (n=16) and nonspecific (n=11) were on the rise. Among the 27 cases that showed polypoid or nonspecific types, unilateral lesion was seen in 20 cases (74%). The most frequently affected area by this disease was true vocal cord, followed by false vocal cord, epiglottis, arytenoids and posterior commissure. Active pulmonary tuberculosis was present in 28 (46.7%), inactive pulmonary tuberculosis in 20 (33.3%), normal lung status in 12 cases (20%). Primary laryngeal tuberculosis was present in 9 cases (15%). Single lesion, polypoid and nonspecific type were prevalent in patients with inactive tuberculosis or normal lungs status. Physicians should be aware of the changes in the clinical pattern of laryngeal tuberculosis, which poses serious complications and risk of spreading.

A 67-Year-Old Woman With Laryngeal Tuberculosis

“…Other reported symptoms of laryngeal tuberculosis are dyspnea, stridor, cough and hemoptysis [6]. Systemic symptoms are rare [7]. Wang et al reported that the most frequent symptom of the laryngeal tuberculosis was hoarseness [8], while Topak et al reported that odynophagia was the most common complaint among the patients with laryngeal tuberculosis [9].…”

Tuberculosis of the Larynx: A Review of Two Cases

“…They had also noted the absence of mucosal wave in the posttreatment period, which is contrary to our finding of a normal mucosal wave and normal glottal closure after completion of treatment. Lim et al 15 had observed that early initiation of antitubercular therapy gave better outcome in terms of mucosal wave and voice quality. In both the present cases, the normal glottis closure and mucosal wave after completion of treatment may be attributed to the early initiation of treatment.…”

Primary laryngeal tuberculosis-“The great masquerader”

“…Earlier, it affected posterior larynx in most patients, since it directly spreads along the airway [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Currently, however, it is prevalent in all parts of the larynx and is usually seen in people in their 40s-60s as primary laryngeal tuberculosis.…”

“…Currently, however, it is prevalent in all parts of the larynx and is usually seen in people in their 40s-60s as primary laryngeal tuberculosis. Main complaints are hoarseness and odynophagia, unlike in the past when patients mainly complained of dyspnoea or pulmonary and other constitutional symptoms [1].…”

“…The incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis has steadily increased over the past two decades due to increased prevalence of HIV infection, immunosuppressive diseases or treatments, the increased survival of aged, immigrants coming from high risk areas, and the emergence of resistant organisms and atypical mycobacteria [1][2][3].…”