A Study to Evaluate Clinicopathological Profile of Laryngeal Tuberculosis

Objective: Laryngeal tuberculosis is a rare form of extra pulmonary TB. The present study was done to evaluate clinicopathological profile of laryngeal tuberculosis in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis associated with laryngeal symptoms. Methods: It was a cross sectional observational study conducted for a period of three years. One hundred & seven patients of pulmonary tuberculosis associated with laryngeal symptoms were evaluated by history, clinical examination, laryngoscopy & histopathology. The results were statistically analysed. Results: Laryngeal involvement was found in 11.21% cases of pulmonary TB presenting with laryngeal symptoms. Males within the age group of 31-40yrs. were predominantly affected. Commonest presenting symptom was hoarseness of voice (66.67% cases). 83.33% patients had sputum positive pulmonary TB. During laryngoscopy oedema & thickening of either vocal cord was found in 83.3% cases, moth eaten ulceration of mucous membrane overlying vocal cords or arytenoid cartilages was the next common findings (58.33%). Polypoid lesion was found in 16.67% of cases. Laryngeal swab was positive for AFB in 58.33% cases, histopathology was suggestive of tuberculosis in all of the 12 cases. One patient was found to be positive for HIV serology. Conclusions: Laryngeal tuberculosis is common in India. Males between 31- 40yrs. are predominantly affected. Sputum positive patients of pulmonary TB presenting with hoarseness of voice, dysphonia or other laryngeal symptoms should be thoroughly evaluated for laryngeal TB. Oedema & thickening of either vocal cord is most common laryngoscopic findings. Patients should undergo HIV serology& histopathological examination to exclude malignancy.

Author(s): Abhijit Mandal, Souvik Ray and Joydeep Ganguly

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