Tuberculosis of a periglandular lymphnode presenting as a parotid tumor

The presentation of tuberculosis as isolated cervical adenopathy is not a common entity. The presentation of this disease as a parotid mass has rarely been reported. In most instances, direct parenchymal involvement exists, although involvement of intraglandular lymphnodes has also been reported. In most cases, an initial misdiagnosis of a parotid tumor, usually a pleomorphic adenoma, was made. We report a case of a 57-year-old patient with a left parotid mass of two years' duration. The patient was referred because of the development of firm, nontender, ipsilateral cervical adenopathy, suggesting possible malignancy. The course of the disease, diagnosis, and treatment are reported. The relevant literature is reviewed.