Tuberculosis of the larynx

Tuberculosis of the larynx

Laryngeal tuberculosis is a complication of pulmonary tuberculosis and occurs mainly in men aged 20-40 years. Morphologically, epithelioid granulomas are detected. With the development of infiltrates and cheesy disintegration of tubercles, ulcers occur.

When the tuberculous process spreads deeper, the perichondrium and cartilage are affected. Symptoms and course depend on the process in the lungs. Deterioration is observed during pregnancy and infectious diseases.

Most often, patients complain of various voice disorders and pain, both independently and when swallowing saliva and food, when talking, and coughing. Sore throat is caused by damage to the outer ring of the larynx. Stenotic breathing due to narrowing of the glottis occurs with an infiltrative-ulcerative granulating process or swelling of the subglottic region, epiglottis, and arytenoid cartilages.

Cough is not a characteristic sign of laryngeal tuberculosis, since it depends on changes in the lungs. Damage to the vocal folds is expressed in hyperemia, roughness, thickening and infiltration of individual areas, mainly the posterior third of the vocal folds. Ulceration is most often found on the inner or upper surface of the vocal folds.

The internal parts of the larynx are affected by the tuberculosis process much more often than the external parts.

Treatment. For productive tumor forms (tuberculomas), curettage and electrocoagulation are performed. Complex therapy for paresis and paralysis includes vibration massage of the neck in the larynx area. In the treatment of dysphagia, intradermal novocaine blockade of the neck is used.