“Another variety of initial tuberculosis is monocorditis. The patient
becomes suddenly aphonic; laryngoscopic examination shows a cord
perfectly red, congestion of which is evident, not only by the color,
but by its altered volume. Contrast with the sound cord is often
striking. Movements of the affected cord may be observed, but it is
generally paretic. Acute monocorditis should cause us to think that it
is an initial form of tuberculosis. This monocorditis often corresponds
to the side of the lungs which is afterward or at that time attacked by
the bacillus. Certain authors admit that this relation is absolutely
constant, and their statistics allow no exception to the rule. On the
other hand, Bayle’s theory, setting forth the direct penetration of the
tubercular infection, becomes less often justified. It is the lymphatic
route which most often produces bacillary infection.
“Tubercular laryngitis may often begin by a nodule situated on the
border of the vocal cords. It is important not to confound it with
singers’ nodules, these latter being more conical and more rounded. The
tuberculous nodule may grow slowly, not ulcerate for a long time;
interfering so little with the speaking voice that the patient often
refuses any intervention. But the day comes when we see this nodule
desquamate, and we may observe the evolution of the tuberculous
ulceration which displaces it. We make no mention of the other forms of
commencement characterized by a congestion of the entire organ, by œdema
of the epiglottis, by a lividity quite characteristic which invades the
entire endolaryngeal mucosa, forms most usual for the tubercular
involvement of the larynx. A form especially noticeable is that which
begins with a sensation of a lump in the throat. It is true that this
variety is not observed except in the nervous; it is not, however, to be
compared to the globus hystericus. Tuberculous patients, in whom the
tuberculous process in the larynx begins with a sensation of a lump in
the throat, may be in very good health, but this particular impression
is often the first symptom which they observe in a laryngitis, which
finally becomes tuberculous. At the moment when the patient complains of
this symptom it may happen that laryngoscopic examination fails to
detect any lesion. It is useless to add that this form is especially met
with in the female. It most nearly resembles that form that begins with
a dysphagia that persists to the end; but at the beginning of tubercular
laryngitis this dysphagia alone is noted without any other symptoms.” So
it can be seen that laryngeal phthisis may begin by a variety of
symptoms, some common, the others rare. It is needless to insist upon
the importance of an early diagnosis.
PALMER.
=Ball, James Moores.—On Removal of the Cervical Sympathetic in Glaucoma
and Optic-Nerve Atrophy.=—_Jour. A. M. A._, June 2, 1900.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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