Resurgence of tuberculosis: a rare case of primary orbitomaxillary tuberculoma

Extrapulmonary sites of tuberculosis, which represent 15% of all sites, most commonly involve lymph nodes and bones. Facial bones and paranasal sinuses are rarely involved in the process. Tuberculosis of maxilla is an extremely rare condition, which usually presents with involvement of anterior wall of the maxillary sinus. Symptoms may include nasal discharge with partial nasal obstruction and mild pain. It still remains an underdiagnosed entity.

We report a case of tuberculoma of the whole left maxilla extending into the orbit, with no previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis of paranasal sinus is a rare entity and is nearly always secondary to pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis, but this report describes the incidence of primary infection of extrapulmonary site.

Any chronic granulomatous lesion present over the maxillofacial region which does not respond to initial antibiotic therapy may be suspected as tubercular infection and should be ruled out with priority.