The presentation of laryngeal tuberculosis

Laryngeal tuberculosis is now a rare disease. We report 6 patients presenting within a 10-year period (1976-1986). Symptoms and signs often mimic carcinoma or chronic non-specific laryngitis. Greater clinical awareness and a chest radiograph prior to direct laryngoscopy may alert the clinician to the possibility of tuberculosis. The diagnosis is established by laryngeal biopsy.