Primary laryngeal tuberculosis mimicking as supraglottic malignancy

Abstract

BACKGROUND Primary involvement of larynx is rare, usually it occurs as secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. The incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis is drastically reduced due to improvement in public health care and anti-tubercular treatment. On laryngoscopy, it often mimicks supraglottic malignancy, so it is better to take a biopsy and to do histopathological examination to confirm the diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 31-year-old female patient presented to our OPD with a history of hoarseness of voice and odynophagia since 6 months. General physical examination is normal. Indirect laryngoscopic examination revealed an ulcerative lesion over the epiglottis, arytenoids and interarytenoid area. Oedema and hyperaemia are noticed over the supraglottic larynx. Vocal cords are mobile on both the sides. Direct laryngoscopy and biopsy is taken to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS The histopathological examination revealed hyperplastic squamous epithelium with epithelioid cells and Langhans giant cells. The patient is started on anti-tubercular treatment. CONCLUSION After 6 months of treatment, patient became completely asymptomatic and the lesions disappeared. Tuberculosis of larynx should be suspected in cases presenting with hoarseness of voice and odynophagia mimicking a 'laryngopharyngeal malignancy.' KEYWORDS Histopathology, Tuberculosis, Malignancy.