Primary Tuberculosis of Tonsils: Interesting Case Detected During the Histopathological Examination

Despite being a preventable and curable disease, tuberculosis, which mainly affects the lungs, is still a major cause of illness and death worldwide, with more than one million people dying from it each year. The affliction of the tonsils is uncommon, and isolated tonsillar tuberculosis in the absence of active pulmonary disease is an extremely rare condition that requires early and accurate diagnosis to provide proper management. Microscopic examination is one of the gold-standard tools for diagnosing tuberculosis. However, routine histopathological investigation for tonsillectomy specimens is not justified except in cases of unusual clinical or postoperative presentations. A 20-year-old female patient who experienced recurrent episodes of infections with enlarged tonsils and adenoids and showed a slightly unusual presentation was sent for a histopathology examination. Upon microscopic examination, a caseating granulomatous reaction was found, and staining for acid-fast bacilli tested positive. The patient was treated for tuberculosis of the tonsils, and their condition improved.