Laryngeal tuberculosis in Tanzania.

The incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis in 341 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was assessed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Laryngeal involvement was present in 26.7 per cent of previously untreated cases. The clinical presentation corresponds to classical descriptions of the disease found in previous accounts. It is suggested that laryngeal tuberculosis is a common complication of pulmonary tuberculosis in developing countries. It should be the first differential diagnostic consideration in patients suffering from hoarseness, and pulmonary tuberculosis should be ruled out before a diagnostic direct laryngoscopy and biopsy are attempted.