Open AccessSome Manifestations of Tuberculosis in Otorhinolaryngology – Case Series and a Short Review of Related Data from South-Eastern Europe
Author(s) -
Adela-Ioana Mocanu,
Horia Mocanu,
Cosmin Moldovan,
Ioana Soare,
Eleiculeț,
Alin Laurențiu Tatu,
Claudiu Ionuț Vasile,
D Diculencu,
Paraschiva Postolache,
Alexandru Nechifor
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
infection and drug resistance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.033
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 1178-6973
DOI - 10.2147/idr.s367885
Subject(s) - medicine , tuberculosis , dermatology , otorhinolaryngology , differential diagnosis , throat , nose , tuberculous lymphadenitis , rare disease , pharynx , disease , surgery , pathology
Tuberculosis is a disease of global outreach that may affect the entire human body but is most commonly located in the lungs. Otorhinolaryngological manifestations of tuberculosis are rare, mostly occurring secondary to pulmonary disease but nevertheless represent significant diagnostic challenges. Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis is rare, representing around 1% of all upper air-way localizations and the most common presentation is in the form of adenoids. Tuberculous glossitis (oral tuberculosis) is even scarcer and may present in various clinical forms, usually mimicking a malignant neoplasm, or, less often, trauma or other infectious lesions. Oropharynx tuberculosis is usually misdiagnosed as hypertrophic chronic tonsillitis. We present four rare cases of ENT tuberculosis, primary adenoiditis and tonsillitis in a 13-year-old girl, a curious case of tuberculous glossitis in a 65-year-old woman, clinically diagnosed as a lingual neoplasm and two cases of tuberculous lymphadenopathy uncommonly located in the submandibular and supraclavicular regions. A comprehensive review of literature follows the case presentations. Tuberculous manifestation in the ear, nose and throat area remains a difficult diagnosis to establish, particularly because of its rarity and non-specific clinical appearance, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of pharynx lesions. An early diagnosis is essential to avoid occurrence of complications.