OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical and pathological features of laryngeal tuberculosis.

METHODS

The clinical data of 75 patients with laryngeal tuberculosis from Jan 2010 to Jan 2013 in our hospital were studied retrospectively. There were 50 male and 25 female patients, aged from 18 to 91 years, with a median age of 44 years. The course of disease was 1 to 19 months.

RESULTS

The prominent presenting symptoms were hoarseness (n=59, 79%), and sore throat (n=48, 64%). Systemic symptoms included fatigue with weight loss (n=26, 35%) and fever (n=17, 23%). Primary laryngeal tuberculosis was found in 23 patients (31%) while secondary laryngeal tuberculosis together with pulmonary tuberculosis in 52 patients (69%). There were 2 or less lesions in the larynx in 44 patients, while multiple lesions were found in 31 patients. Vocal cords were the most common sites affected(n=51, 68%), followed by epiglottis(n=41, 55%). Proliferation was the main type of lesions (n=34, 45%). After pathologic diagnosis, all patients received systemic anti-tuberculosis therapy, and the prognosis was good.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe local symptoms of the larynx with slightly general symptoms are the clinical characteristics of laryngeal tuberculosis for the time being. Primary laryngeal tuberculosis often present with fewer (2 or less) lesions. Different morphology of laryngeal lesions can exist at the same time. The diagnosis of laryngeal tuberculosis depends on pathological biopsy. The treatment should be systemic anti-tuberculosis therapy.