[Tuberculosis in the parotid gland in HIV infection]

A 35-year-old man with HIV-infection presented with a progressive swelling of the left parotid gland lasting for 3 months. Physical examination revealed a firm mass on the tail of the parotid gland. Ultrasound examination of the left parotid showed a well-circumscribed round lesion. MR imaging demonstrated a 2 cm lesion in the ventral subcutaneous part of the parotid gland. Lateral parotidectomy was performed with suspected pleomorphic adenoma. Histologic analysis revealed a granulomatous necrotising inflammatory lesion of an intra- and extraparotideal lymph node. The patient had no family history of tuberculosis. Hematologic investigations were within normal limits. Chest X-ray was normal. Primary tuberculosis of the parotid gland in a patient with HIV-infection was diagnosed and anti-mycobacterial therapy was started. In HIV-patients with unilateral swelling of the parotid gland, tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma and fine needle aspiration cytology should be performed to avoid unnecessary surgery.