A Case of So-called Primary Tuberculosis of the Larynx

Abstract

We reported a case of so-called primary tuberculosis of the larynx in a 56-year-old male, who complained of hoarseness and dyspnea. Laryngoscopic examination showed mucosal swelling in the right subglottic space with fixation of the right vocal cord. High voltage X-ray film of the larynx indicated a shadow in the posterior portion of the subglottic space, and computed tomography revealed partial destruction of the cricoid cartilage. Therefore, it was difficult to be differentiated from laryngeal cancer. Histological examination of biopsied material revealed typical findings of tuberculosis. A course of treatment using SM, INH, RFP was effective and 2 months later, the swelling disappeared and mobility of the right vocal cord improved slightly.
Tuberculosis of the larynx is usually secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis, but so-called primary tuberculosis of the larynx has occasionally been reported in literature.