Primary parotid tuberculosis mimicking parotid neoplasm: a case report

Tuberculosis of the parotid gland is a rare clinical entity which causes some difficulties in diagnosis because of the similarities in presentation to that of a neoplasm. Diagnosis mainly relies in the treating physician having a high index of suspicion. The diagnosis is generally overlooked by otol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medical case reports 2008-02, Vol.2 (1), p.62-62, Article 62
Main Authors: Birkent, Hakan, Karahatay, Serdar, Akcam, Timur, Durmaz, Abdullah, Ongoru, Onder
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Care and treatment
Case Report
Case studies
Diagnosis
Parotid glands
Physiological aspects
Tuberculosis
Tumors
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Summary:Tuberculosis of the parotid gland is a rare clinical entity which causes some difficulties in diagnosis because of the similarities in presentation to that of a neoplasm. Diagnosis mainly relies in the treating physician having a high index of suspicion. The diagnosis is generally overlooked by otolaryngologists and most cases are undergoing unnecessary surgery. A 20-year-old male presented with a mass in the right parotid region. The mass had been present for one year. Physical examination revealed a mobile, non-tender mass occupying the superficial lobe of the right parotid gland. Radiologic investigations revealed a well-defined, solid, mass lesion located in the posterior part of the superficial lobe of the right parotid gland. A provisional diagnosis of a neoplasm of the parotid gland was made and a right superficial parotidectomy was performed. Histopathologic examination of the specimen was reported as tuberculosis of the parotid gland. The patient was commenced on antitubercular chemotherapy. Although rare, tuberculosis should be kept in mind and considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a solitary tumor in the parotid gland in order to avoid unnecessary surgery.
ISSN:1752-1947
1752-1947
DOI:10.1186/1752-1947-2-62