Parotid Gland Tuberculosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs. Although TB can affect many organs, involvement of the head and neck is extremely rare and involvement of the salivary glands is even rarer. Clinical diagnosis is challenging and may be misdiagnosed, as it mimics neoplasms on physical exams and imaging. In this paper, we present a case of parotid tuberculosis in a 28year-old man who presented with a painful left parotid mass, loss of appetite, fever, and weight loss for six months. Suspicion of infection arose, and treatment began with intravenous antibiotics, followed by oral antibiotics, with no improvement. A biopsy of the patient's left parotid gland was performed, and a diagnosis of parotid TB with jaw osteomyelitis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was made. The patient was started on isoniazid for one week, followed by isoniazid, ethambutol, and rifampicin for six months. Follow-up after six months showed full resolution of the swelling.

Computed Tomography Features of Parotid Tuberculosis

“…Among the salivary glands, the parotid glands are most commonly involved because of their slower saliva flow 1 . A primary pulmonary focus and hematogenous and/or lymphatic dissemination usually characterizes parotid involvement but dissemination via the parotid duct from an oral-cavity or lymph-node focus can also occur 2 . CT usually shows a lobulated heterogeneously enhancing mass, associated with lymph-node enlargement.…”