[A case of tuberculoma of the orbit with sphenoidal origin]

We report the case of an orbital and sphenoidal tuberculosis observed in a young Indian man living in France. The orbital disease is presenting as an orbital mass with a radiologic bony lytic aspect, without systemic manifestation. A malignant process was suspected. The diagnosis was obtained by the culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis of the biopsy specimen. Orbital involvement in tuberculosis is a rare manifestation in developed countries. Most cases reported in the literature were reported from Asia and Africa. Orbital tuberculosis may become established in one of two ways: primarily by heamatogenous spread to cause a periostitis or a tuberculoma of the orbital tissues, or secondarily by direct extension from neighbouring structures. It occurs in patients with or without associated pulmonary tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory orbital diseases. This diagnosis is based on clinical feature, positive tuberculin skin test and positive culture in resected tissues. The complete resolution of the disease with the specific antituberculous drugs emphasizes the point that tuberculosis must be evocated.