Parotid tuberculosis in a young child causing moth-eaten mandibular osteomyelitis: an elusive diagnosis

Darwin Kaushal; Vidhu Sharma; Prawin Kumar; Poonam Elhence

doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1549807009

Parotid tuberculosis in a young child causing moth-eaten mandibular osteomyelitis: an elusive diagnosis

Sudan J Paediatr. 2019;19(2):156-160. doi: 10.24911/SJP.106-1549807009.

Authors

Darwin Kaushal¹, Vidhu Sharma¹, Prawin Kumar², Poonam Elhence³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
² Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
³ Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

Abstract

Tuberculosis can affect almost any organ in the body and have unusual presentations. We hereby report a case of parotid tuberculosis causing osteomyelitis of the mandible in a 3-year-old child presenting with left-sided facial swelling since 4 months. There was a history of repeated incision and drainage for suspected parotid abscess elsewhere. Initial work-up was inconclusive. Radiology revealed a heteroechoic mass lesion of the left parotid gland with extensive destruction of the adjacent ascending ramus of the mandible suggesting an odontogenic tumor. Biopsy of the left parotid gland finally clinched the diagnosis of a tubercular abscess. The child responded remarkably well to antitubercular therapy. This case highlights the importance of complete work-up, including biopsy to avoid unwarranted surgical interventions.

Keywords: Child; Extrapulmonary; Salivary gland; Tuberculosis.

Publication types

Case Reports