The Current Clinical Propensity of Laryngeal Tuberculosis: Review of 60 Cases

Lim, Jae Yol; Kim, Kwang Moon; Choi, Eun Chang; Kim, Young Ho; Kim, Han Su; Park, Tae Joon; Choi, Hong Shik

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although laryngeal tuberculosis is not common, it still occurs with an increasing incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. The 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.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We retrospectively analyzed 60 cases of laryngeal tuberculosis diagnosed from 1994 to 2004 in the department of otorhinolaryngology at Severance Hospital by evaluating clinical and videostroboscopic records.
RESULTS
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 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 the prevalent characteristics found in patients with inactive tuberculosis or normal lung status.
CONCLUSION
Physicians should be aware of changes in the clinical pattern of laryngeal tuberculosis, which pose serious complications and risk of spreading.