Oral tuberculosis: a tongue case report.

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathology

Background:

• Oral tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
• It can present as a non-specific ulcer, mimicking other oral pathologies.
• Diagnosis can be challenging, especially in the absence of pulmonary disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of oral tuberculosis.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges of oral TB.
• To highlight the importance of histopathological examination and specific staining.

Main Methods:

• Clinical presentation of a painful, non-healing tongue ulcer.
• Histopathological examination revealing granulomas with caseating necrosis.
• Ziehl-Neelsen staining for acid-fast bacilli.
• Chest radiography to rule out pulmonary tuberculosis.

Main Results:

• A 38-year-old male heavy smoker presented with a painful, indurated tongue ulcer.
• Histopathology confirmed tubercoloid granulomas.
• Ziehl-Neelsen staining was positive for acid-fast bacilli.
• Chest X-ray showed no evidence of pulmonary or nodal disease.

Conclusions:

• Oral tuberculosis can occur in immunocompetent individuals, including heavy smokers.
• A high index of suspicion and thorough histopathological evaluation are crucial for diagnosis.
• This case underscores the importance of considering oral TB in non-healing oral ulcers, even without systemic signs.