Tuberculosis of the Cheek: A Rare Presentation

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Mycobacterial Infections

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) commonly affects the lungs, with oral manifestations being rare and often misdiagnosed.
• Atypical oral lesions of tuberculosis can precede systemic symptoms, complicating early detection.
• Primary and secondary oral TB lesions require careful clinical evaluation due to varied presentations.

Observation:

• A 4-year-old female child presented with a primary tuberculosis lesion in an uncommon oral location: the cheek.
• The oral lesion was the initial presenting sign, without apparent systemic symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
• The lesion's atypical presentation on the cheek posed diagnostic challenges.

Findings:

• The case highlights primary tuberculosis manifesting as an isolated cheek lesion in a pediatric patient.
• Diagnostic confirmation was followed by prompt initiation of antitubercular therapy.
• Complete resolution of the cheek swelling was achieved within six months of treatment.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering tuberculosis in pediatric patients with unexplained oral lesions, even in atypical sites.
• Early recognition and management of oral tuberculosis are crucial for favorable outcomes and preventing disease progression.
• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for oral tuberculosis, particularly when lesions present atypically or before systemic signs are evident.