Laryngeal involvement in pulmonary tuberculosis

ABSTRACT

Fifty-one patients with established pulmonary tuberculosis underwent clinical evaluation and endoscopic examination, of the larynx to determine the manifestations of laryngeal involvement. There were 46 males and 5 females [mean age 38 years]. Fever, cough and haemoptysis were the prime pulmonary complaints while hoarseness, weak voice and episodic dyspnoea were the main laryngeal symptoms. Sites of laryngeal lesions included true vocal cords, arytenoids and false vocal cords. Oedema, pallor, ulcers, vocal cord immobility and thickening were the main laryngeal lesions observed. Twenty-four [47%] cases showed morphological changes in the larynx. The presentation pattern was consistent with the classical description and predilection for laryngeal involvement was not demonstrated