Is Experience Better than Evidence? Tuberculous Laryngitis: A Case Report

Sarath Kumar  B; Rajasekaran S; Muthukumar R; Prabakaran S; Namasivaya Navin R B; Balaji  D; Gowthame K; Adithya V

Sarath Kumar B Senior Resident, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute/ Chettinad Academy of Research and education
Rajasekaran S Professor & Head of the Department, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Muthukumar R Professor,Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Prabakaran S Associate Professor, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Namasivaya Navin R B Assistant Professor, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Balaji D Assistant Professor, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Gowthame K Assistant Professor, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Adithya V Junior Resident, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Immunosuppression, Laryngeal Lesions, Tubercular Laryngitis, Anti-Tubercular Therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis seldom affects the larynx without a lung infection. But in recent times, the incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis has risen due to HIV infection, conditions, and medications causing immunosuppression, resistant organisms and atypical mycobacteria. Although rare, this is the most common laryngeal granulomatous disease. This rare case report shows a patient with a laryngeal lesion who responded to empirical antitubercular medication after all tests were negative for tuberculosis. Case Presentation: A 21-year-old woman reported to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with a 3-month history of insidious hoarseness of voice, dry cough, and foreign body sensation in the throat with associated right cervical lymphadenopathy. Management And Outcome: Video laryngoscopy showed a nodular lesion in the anterior commissure extending to the whole of the anterior 2/3rd right vocal cord. Microlaryngeal surgery was done but the biopsy specimen was negative for tuberculosis. On ruling out other granulomatous diseases, anti-tubercular therapy was administered with which the patient recovered fully. How to cite this article: Kumar S B, Rajasekaran S, Muthukumar R, Prabakaran S, Navin N R B, Balaji D, Gowathame K, Adithya V. Is Experience Better than Evidence? Tuberculous Laryngitis: A Case Report. J Commun Dis. 2024;56(4):97-100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202477

Author Biography

Sarath Kumar B, Senior Resident, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute/ Chettinad Academy of Research and education

Senior Resident, Department of ENT

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