title: Laryngeal tuberculosis in the United States of America: a forgotten disease.
abstract: Laryngeal tuberculosis (TB) was a common manifestation of TB in the early twentieth century, but now represents only 1% of all cases. Most modern case series of laryngeal TB originate outside the USA. We report a case of laryngeal TB from our institution and review other US cases published between 1970 and 2012. One hundred twenty-seven cases were identified. The mean patient age was 49 y and 28% were female. The mean duration of symptoms was 19 weeks. Dysphonia and weight loss were the most common manifestations, seen in 96% and 47% of cases, respectively. These symptoms were usually attributed to malignancy initially. Most cases involved the vocal cords. Eighty-six percent of cases had underlying pulmonary involvement. Mortality was 3%. In the USA, laryngeal TB is rarely suspected and often confused with malignancy. This infection should be considered in patients with unexplained dysphonia and weight loss.
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Jeana L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Benwill
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sarria
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014387:Tuberculosis, Laryngeal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents