OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical manifestations of laryngeal tuberculosis and its laryngoscopic characteristics.

METHODClinical analysis of 36 laryngeal tuberculosis cases confirmed pathologically was carried out retrospectively.

RESULTSThe patients' ages ranged from 19 to 78 years old (median 39.5 years old). The male to female ratio was 1.8 to 1. The most frequent chief complaint was hoarseness (83.3%). The true vocal cord and the false vocal cord were usually found involved by fibrolaryngoscope observations. The lesions appearances were mainly the proliferation such as nodules or granules. The laryngostroboscopy demonstrated that the wave of the mucosa and vibration of the involved vocal cords were markedly reduced or disappeared. Among 24 patients with multiple lesions in the larynx, 19 (79.2%) had active pulmonary tuberculosis,while 9 (75.0%) had normal lung status among 12 patients with single lesions in the throat. All the patients received a full course of antituberculosis treatment. The results of the antituberculous medication was satisfactory in all 26 cases patients who can be followed up, while 10 cases were lost for the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThe local clinical manifestations of laryngeal tuberculosis is nonspecific, while the whole manifestation is not apparent. The lesions commonly involve the true vocal cord and the false vocal cord. It can even occur without pulmonary tuberculosis.