Primary tuberculous glossitis in an immunocompetent patient

Hong Kong Med J. 2007 Aug;13(4):330-1.

Abstract

Tuberculous glossitis is a rare entity that has been described sporadically. Primary tuberculous glossitis, as described in this case report, is still exceptional. A 25-year-old male with no known immunosuppressive disorder presented with a tuberculoma at the base of his tongue. This was confirmed by tongue biopsy and a positive polymerase chain reaction response to the mycobacterium. The patient had a favourable response to anti-tubercular treatment. This highlights the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of chronic tongue lesions, even in the absence of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Glossitis / diagnosis*
  • Glossitis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Male
  • Tuberculosis, Oral / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Oral / drug therapy