Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T08:59:02.369Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The changing pattern of laryngeal tuberculosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

A. M. Hunter ,
J. W. Millar ,
A. J. A. Wightman  and
N. W Horne
A. M. Hunter*
Affiliation:
Chest Unit, and Department of Radiology, City Hospital, Edinburgh.
J. W. Millar
Affiliation:
Chest Unit, and Department of Radiology, City Hospital, Edinburgh.
A. J. A. Wightman
Affiliation:
Chest Unit, and Department of Radiology, City Hospital, Edinburgh.
N. W Horne
Affiliation:
Chest Unit, and Department of Radiology, City Hospital, Edinburgh.
*
Senior Register in Thoracic Medicine, Llanddough Hospital, Nr. Penarth, South Glamorgan CF6 1XX.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Laryngeal tuberculosis is now an uncommon disease in the United Kingdom. A series of ten cases is reported. In contrast to the pre-chemotherapy era, when the disease was associated with advanced cavitated pulmonary tuberculosis and was highly infectious, it now presents in a manner similar to laryngeal carcinoma except that painful dysphagia is a prominent symptom. All such patients should have a chest X-ray carried out as part of their initial investigation. Sputum is almost always positive for tubercle bacilli on direct films. Direct laryngoscopy and biopsy are necessary if a carcinoma is suspected.

The change of pattern of the disease may be due to the fact that the larynx now usually becomes involved by haematogenous spread rather than by direct spread along the airways. Laryngeal tuberculosis is now no more infectious than pulmonary tuberculosis, and responds well to antituberculous chemotherapy. Symptoms resolve completely within three weeks if corticosteroids are given in combination.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 95 , Issue 4 , April 1981 , pp. 393 - 398
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Auerbach, O. (1946) Archives of Otolaryngology, 44, 191–201.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
British Thoracic Association (1978) Tubercle, 59, 245–259.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bull, T. R. (1966) British Medical Journal 2, 991–992.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maran, A. G. D., and Stewart, I. A. (1971) British Medical Journal, 2, 775.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morse, J. O. (1974) Annals of Internal Medicine, 81, 713–714.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riley, R. L., Mills, C. C., O'Grady, F., Sulten, L. U., Wittstadt, F., and Shirpuri, D. N. (1962) American Review of Respiratory Disease, 85, 511–525.Google Scholar
Rohwedder, J. J. (1974) Annals of Internal Medicine, 80, 708–713.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, H. K., and Nathanson, L. (1934) American Journal of Roentgenology, 32, 589–607.Google Scholar
Thompson, Sir St. Clair (1924) Tuberculosis of the larynx: Ten years experience in a sanatorium. HMSO, London.Google Scholar
SirThompson, St. Clair, and Negus, V. E. (1948) Diseases of the Ear, Nose and Throat. 3rd Edition, Cassell & Co. Ltd., London.Google Scholar
Scott Stevenson, R., and Heaf, F. R. C. (1940) British MedicalJournal, 1, 164–169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar