[Tuberculosis of the parotid gland]

Tuberculosis of the parotid gland is a rare entity, and the preoperative diagnosis is difficult as the symptomatology is nonspecific. The most cases reported in the literature were diagnosed on histological evaluation of parotidectomy specimen.

We report a case of a three year old child without a history of tuberculosis, who presented with an isolated parotid mass for three months. Physical examination and ultrasonography suggested a benign tumour. Biological findings were unremarkable. The patient underwent superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve, and the diagnosis of tuberculosis was made by histopathological study of the specimen. Antituberculosis treatment was given for six months. The postoperative course was uneventful.

This case highlights that tuberculosis of the parotid gland must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of parotid swellings, in order to avoid parotidectomy, in a medically treatable condition.