Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of otorhinolaryngological tuberculosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study.
PATIENTS: Seventy-two patients who were not yet taking antituberculosis drugs were hospitalized in our hospital tuberculosis ward from October 2008 to the end of September 2009.
METHODS: We conducted the following screening tests: questionnaire of symptoms, tympanic membrane and pharyngeal findings on examination, nasopharyngeal to laryngeal findings on flexible endoscopic examination, and palpation of the neck.
RESULTS: Five patients showed evidence of complicating otorhinolaryngological tuberculosis. One patient was diagnosed as having middle ear tuberculosis. Our study revealed a significantly higher complication rate of otolaryngological tuberculosis in younger people under the age of 40 years.
CONCLUSION: We suggest that screening tests for otorhinolaryngological tuberculosis are useful in tuberculosis patients under the age of 40 years.
