Publication:

Screening: a unique study of otorhinolaryngeal manifestations in 400 patients of pulmonary tuberculosis being diagnosed and treated under revised national tuberculosis control programme

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily a disease of lungs but can affect any part of the body. Among extrapulmonary TB, tuberculosis of otorhinolaryngeal region is uncommon but not rare. Despite the best efforts of the RNTCP, tuberculosis is still a major health problem in India. In our study screening of the pulmonary tuberculosis patients was done to know the incidence and pattern of otorhinoloryngeal manifestations and also to know the treatment outcome after follow up of patient till completion of DOTS therapy under RNTCP.

Methods This study included 400 pulmonary tuberculosis patients, both sputum positive and sputum negative (200 patients in each group) of newly treated (ND) and previously treated (PT) categories. After complete history, physical and local examination, suspected patients were evaluated for otorhinolaryngeal manifestations of tuberculosis. The diagnosis was confirmed after culture swabs, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and biopsy for histopathological examination (HPE).

Results Out of total 400 patients majority of patients belong to 21-30 years age group. Out of total 400 patients, 5 (1.25%) patients were having laryngeal tuberculosis, 1 (0.25%) patient of tubercular otitis media and 2 (0.5%) patients were having nasal TB. Results of our study are consistent with previously done studies despite RNTCP treatment. The treatment outcome was good after completion of ATT.

Conclusions Every patient of pulmonary TB with complaint related to otorhinolaryngeal region should be examined and followed up with high suspicion of ENT related tuberculosis.