Cold Abscess of Bilateral Parotids: Delusion or Reality?

Tuberculosis being endemic in country like India can affect any organ though pulmonary tuberculosis is rampant and extrapulmonary is rare. Tuberculosis affecting parotid gland is a rare occurrence, usually unilateral. However, Mycobacterium tuberculosis causing cold abscess in bilateral parotid glands is even rarer. Here, we present a case of a young female presented with bilateral slow-growing swelling in the parotid region with evening raise of temperature for two months. On clinical examination, no signs of inflammation were seen. Ultrasonography showed thick-walled hypoechoic collection with septae and internal echoes within involving both superficial and deep lobes of the parotid gland. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) suggested a caseating granuloma and acid fast bacilli were detected on ZN staining, thereby confirming the diagnosis of cold abscess. She was put on antitubercular drugs and there was a drastic reduction in the size of swelling.