Tuberculous granuloma of maxillary antrum and ethmoid sinus mimicking malignancy and trigeminal neuralgia: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a multi-system disease, but paranasal sinuses involvement is uncommon, and most cases occur secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculous granuloma of the paranasal sinuses is rare and only a few cases are reported. Due to non-specific ways of clinical presentations, diagnosis of paranasal tuberculosis can be missed, delayed or confused with other entities like malignancy. We present an uncommon case of tuberculous granuloma of the left maxillary antrum and ethmoid sinus in a 56-year-old man which mimicked trigeminal neuralgia and malignancy. Medial maxillectomy and anterior ethmoidectomy with clearance of the lesion followed by antituberculous treatment prevented permanent loss of his vision. Depending on the chief complaints, patients may present to various specialties. Early cross-referral is important for early diagnosis, appropriate management and prevention of complications.