[Mandibular and malar tuberculosis. Apropos of a case]

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Skeletal Radiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health challenge, primarily affecting the lungs but capable of manifesting in various extrapulmonary sites.
• Skeletal tuberculosis, while less common than pulmonary TB, can involve any bone, with vertebral involvement being the most frequent.
• Involvement of the mandible and malar bone represents an exceptionally rare presentation of tuberculosis.

Observation:

• A rare case involving concurrent tuberculosis of the mandible, malar bone, and vertebrae is presented.
• The patient's clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory findings are detailed.
• The diagnostic challenges and the specific features that aided in identifying this rare multifocal skeletal TB are highlighted.

Findings:

• The study confirms the coexistence of tuberculosis in the jaw (mandible and malar) and spine.
• Microbiological and histopathological analyses support the diagnosis of tuberculous osteomyelitis in the affected sites.
• The report emphasizes the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of destructive bone lesions, even in atypical locations.

Implications:

• This case underscores the diverse and rare manifestations of tuberculosis, necessitating a high index of suspicion for extrapulmonary involvement.
• The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches discussed offer valuable insights for clinicians managing similar rare presentations of skeletal tuberculosis.
• Understanding these unique features can improve early diagnosis and patient outcomes for tuberculosis affecting the craniofacial bones and spine.