Tuberculosis of the parotid gland

Abstract

The presentation of tuberculosis as an isolated parotid lump is rare. In this paper, six cases with tuberculous parotitis are reported which were evaluated as a benign parotid neoplasm in 216 specimens pre-operatively. All but one of them had no previous history of tuberculosis and all had a parotid lump as a sole symptom for at least one year. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made, after superficial parotidectomy, by histopathology. Parenchymal involvement and intraparotid lymph node involvement with tuberculosis were seen in five and three patients, respectively. Two of the patients had lymph node involvement outside the parotid area. One of six patients had a coincidental Warthin tumour. A surgical approach is not only therapeutic but also diagnostic when other diagnostic tools fail.

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Parotid Gland

“…39 Many previous case reports support the role of FNA cytology in the workup of tuberculous parotitis. [39][40][41] Cytologic diagnosis of tuberculosis prevents surgical intervention; thus, the disease can be managed medically.…”

Oral tuberculosis

“…9 Tuberculosis of the tongue has also presented as macroglossia. 10 It may also be present around the upper aerodigestive tract as parotitis, 11,12 intra-osseous lesions, 13,14 preauricular swelling and trismus, 15 tracheitis 16 and laryngitis (as in the case reported).…”

Tuberculosis of The Parotid Gland in Children - A Report of 4 Cases

“…General symptoms are rarely present and the presence of a fistula is highly suggestive of an inflammatory pathology (6). The presence of a facial paralysis suggestive of malignant parotid tumor can occur in painful and invasive forms (4,7). No radiological examination showed specific signs of tuberculosis.…”