Different patterns of presentation of primary laryngeal tuberculosis

Primary laryngeal tuberculosis without lung involvement is rare. The cases reported in the literature have been isolated case reports or series of patients including both primary laryngeal tuberculosis and the form associated with pulmonary disease. Two cases of primary laryngeal tuberculosis are reported to demonstrate the variable presentation of the disease. One case presented with chronic dysphonia. The other case presented acutely with upper respiratory tract obstruction and systemic inflammatory response syndrome [SIRS], requiring urgent tracheostomy and systemic support. To the best of the author's knowledge, no previous report has been made of primary laryngeal tuberculosis presenting with SIRS. Both cases reported were middle-aged men who had no evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis after evaluation of the chest radiograph and sputum culture. Significant supraglottic oedema was seen in each patient on fibreoptic laryngoscopy. Tuberculous granulomas with no evidence of caseation were evident on the biopsy of the larynx. Laryngeal tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of laryngeal inflammatory lesions seen by otolaryngologists

clinical classification system for deep auricular infections

This is a retrospective analysis of 32 cases of deep auricular infections encountered by a single author over a 15-year period. Deep auricular infections were clinically classified into lobular abscess, subcutaneous abscess, infected subperichondrial haematoma, perichondritis, and chondritis. This classification allows for a more rational preventive and therapeutic protocol. The issues of subperichondrial haematoma management, prevention of infection in the auricle following mastoid surgery, and burns of the auricle are reviewed