Laryngeal tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients

Background. Tuberculosis is the most common nonpyogenic infection encounter ed among renal transplant recipients in India. Although the lung is the mos t common site of involvement, a number of extrapulmonary organs can be invo lved. There is often a delay in diagnosis and institution of effective chem otherapy when there is an unusual site of involvement. Methods and results. We report two renal transplant recipients with larynge al tuberculosis who presented with prolonged hoarseness of voice and painfu l dysphagia. acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated on laryngeal biopsy and sm ear. Fever and pulmonary involvement were seen in only one patient. This is the first report of laryngeal tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients. Conclusions. Laryngeal tuberculosis should be suspected in renal transplant recipients who develop hoarseness of voice and odynophagia, Demonstration of acid-fast bacilli on biopsy or smear obtained by direct laryngoscopy hel ps in determining the diagnosis.