Epidemiological considerations and clinical features of ENT tuberculosis

Between 1 April 1996 and 30 June 1997, 1003 ear, nose and throat (ENT) outp atients and 340 inpatients diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis were analysed for ENT manifestations of tuberculosis to determine the relationsh ip to sputum positivity, whether any high risk factors exist for the ENT ma nifestations as compared to other pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and the response to anti-tubercular treatment. The commonest ENT manifestation was found to be laryngitis (seven cases), which was more common in pulmonary tu berculosis patients (five out of seven), all except one of whom were sputum negative. All of these patients were defaulters from anti-tuberculosis tre atment or relapse cases, and vocal cords were the commonest site of involve ment. One case of tuberculous tonsillitis and one case of tuberculous masto iditis were also noted. The practical implications of an awareness of ENT t uberculosis is a benefit of anti-tubercular therapy and hence conservative management usually suffices.