CT findings of laryngeal tuberculosis: comparison to laryngeal carcinoma

Our goal was to describe the appearance of laryngeal tuberculosis using CT, with the intent of identifying features distinguishing laryngeal tuberculosis and carcinoma.

CT scans of 12 patients with laryngeal tuberculosis were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical symptoms, laryngoscopic exams, and presence of pulmonary tuberculosis on chest radiographs were also reviewed.

In laryngeal tuberculosis, bilateral involvement was noted in nine patients (75%), while unilateral involvement was seen in three (25%). Diffuse thickening of the free margin of the epiglottis was a characteristic and frequent finding in tuberculosis (n = 6, 50%). No deep submucosal infiltration of the preepiglottic and paralaryngeal fat spaces was seen even when there was extensive involvement of the laryngeal mucosa. Cartilage destruction was not found in any case.

Characteristic CT findings of laryngeal tuberculosis include bilateral involvement, thickening of the free margin of the epiglottis, and good preservation of the preepiglottic and paralaryngeal fat spaces even in the presence of extensive mucosal involvement. By comparison, laryngeal carcinoma presented unilateral involvement, infiltration of the preepiglottic and paralaryngeal fat spaces by a submucosal mass, cartilage destruction, and extralaryngeal invasion.