ENT manifestation CCs in tuberculosis: a descriptive study

Abstract

Background An attempt was made to study ENT manifestations in tuberculosis. Material and methods A descriptive study was carried out among 200 patients with ENT manifestations of tuberculosis attending various departments at a government medical college hospital. Patients will be evaluated and followed up according to protocol. All patients diagnosed with tuberculosis were treated, according to the recent RNTCP guidelines using the CBNAAT testing. Results In the present study, 66% of patients with tuberculosis of the ear, nose, and throat region were females. Seventy-five percent of patients with tuberculosis of ENT and neck region were between the age group of 11 and 40 years. Cases of tubercular lymphadenitis (89.5%), tubercular laryngitis (4.5%), tubercular otitis media (3%), TB of the oral cavity (2%), and TB of the nose (1%) were seen. Painless lymph node enlargement was found in 91.62% of cases. Lymph node enlargement, hoarseness of voice, painless profuse otorrhoea, hearing loss, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, odynophagia, ulcers in the oral cavity, and tonsil enlargement were seen in patients of respective ENT tuberculosis. Concomitant pulmonary TB was found in 8.37% of cases of cervical TB, 100% of cases of laryngeal TB, 50% of cases of TB otitis media, 75% of cases of oral TB, and 50% of cases of nasal TB. Biopsy and CBNAAT have a promising role in tuberculosis management. Conclusion Early diagnosis of tuberculosis in ENT requires a high index of suspicion for patients non-responding to routine treatment