Tuberculous laryngitis in childhood

Abstract

Two cases of hoarseness of voice due to tuberculous cervical lymph adenitis in 11 and 12 yr old girls were demonstrated. These cases illustrate the fact that although laryngeal tuberculosis is a rare entity, physicians should be aware of its existence. Ulcerative laryngeal lesions with positive tuberculin test should arouse the diagnosis of tuberculous laryngitis. Positive smear and culture of Koch's bacilli from sputum and biopsy of the laryngeal lesion, as well as histopathologic findings compatible with tuberculosis, would establish the diagnosis of laryngeal tuberculosis. With antituberculous drugs, the lesion would subside in about one month.