International Journal of Phonosurgery & Laryngology

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VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 1 ( January-June, 2017 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Tuberculosis of the Larynx: A Review of Two Cases

Kamalika P Roy, Dhruba J Datta, Srikanth Madam, Praneeth K Koduru

Citation Information : Roy KP, Datta DJ, Madam S, Koduru PK. Tuberculosis of the Larynx: A Review of Two Cases. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2017; 7 (1):27-30.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10023-1138

License: CC BY 3.0

Published Online: 01-03-2013

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2017; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim

To investigate the changes in the vibratory function of the vocal cords in two diagnosed cases of tuberculosis during and after completion of treatment.

Background

Laryngeal tuberculosis is one of the most common granulomatous diseases of the larynx. Patients present with hoarseness, irritation in throat, dysphagia, and breathlessness. The hoarseness occurs due to the granulomatous reaction involving the subepithelial layer of the vocal cords, which heal with fibrosis.

Case reports

A 56-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of cough, hoarseness allegedly precipitated by vocal abuse, dysphagia, weight loss, and evening rise of temperature. There was associated history of tobacco and betel nut intake. A 50-year-old female patient presented with complaints of hoarseness of 3 months duration not associated with any cough, dysphagia, fever, weight loss, or breathlessness. Clinical examination showed whitish lesions in the vocal cords. Microlaryngeal surgery done in both cases for collecting biopsy specimen showed a chronic inflammatory process with granuloma. Antitubercular treatment consisting of Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol was given for a period of 6 months. The patients were assessed at the end of 2 and 6 months of treatment symptomatically and clinically with fiber-optic laryngoscopy and stroboscopy. Significant improvement in the vibratory pattern of vocal cords and voice quality was noted in both the patients.

Conclusion

Early recognition of the disease and initiation of treatment are necessary for a desirable outcome of vibratory function of the vocal cords.

Clinical significance

As patients present with nonspecific symptoms, an accurate diagnosis of laryngeal tuberculosis can be made by a proper histopathological examination and acid-fast staining of specimen obtained by microlaryngeal surgery. Early initiation of treatment is the key to better outcome.

How to cite this article

Roy KP, Datta DJ, Madam S, Koduru PK. Tuberculosis of the Larynx: A Review of Two Cases. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2017;7(1):27-30.


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