Hoarseness of Voice as a Rare Presentation of Tuberculosis: A Case Report Study

Taher Felemban; Abdullah Ashi; Abdullah Sindi; Mohannad  Rajab; Zuhair Al Jehani

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.817

Authors

Taher Felemban College of Medicine â€“ Jeddah, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah 21423, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Ashi College of Medicine â€“ Jeddah, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah 21423, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Sindi Department of Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology section, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah 23325, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mohannad Rajab Department of Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology section, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah 23325, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Zuhair Al Jehani Department of Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology section, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah 23325, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.817

Keywords:

Laryngeal, Tuberculosis, Otorhinolaryngology, Hoarseness, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Having hoarseness of voice as the first clinical manifestation of tuberculosis is rare. This atypical presentation causes some confusion since other more common conditions, such as laryngeal carcinoma, present similarly and might require more invasive tests to confirm the diagnosis.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old male presented to the otorhinolaryngology clinic with a four-month history of change in voice. Laryngoscopy demonstrated a right glottic mass, raising suspicion of laryngeal cancer. The computed tomography showed a mass and incidental finding of opacities in lung apices. Chest x-ray demonstrated findings suggestive of tuberculosis. Polymerase chain reaction and culture of sputum samples confirmed the diagnosis and the patient was started on anti-tuberculosis treatment.

CONCLUSION: Despite accounting for only 1% of pulmonary tuberculosis cases and having a similar presentation to laryngeal carcinoma, we recommend considering laryngeal tuberculosis when evaluating hoarseness of voice in endemic areas.