Laryngeal tuberculosis: presentation of 16 cases and review of the literature.

Tuberculosis of the larynx was quite common in the past and usually associated with advanced pulmonary cavitations with an overall mortality of approximately 70% before the advent of chemotherapy. Its incidence was on the decline in the last two decades; however, it seems to be on the increase in the last few years. During the past 30 years, 16 patients with laryngeal tuberculosis were investigated at the American University of Beirut, Medical Centre. Around 20% of our patients had isolated laryngeal tuberculosis with no apparent pulmonary involvement. Four patients (25%) presented with stridor and had a tracheotomy performed for the relief of their upper airway obstruction. In contrast to earlier studies, our series showed great variations as far as location and appearance of the laryngeal lesions.