Orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma!

Orofacial tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis without pathognomic signs and symptoms. Due to its unusual clinical presentation, orofacial tuberculosis (TB) is more often misdiagnosed as other orofacial pathologies and presents a diagnostic challenge in dentistry. One such case...

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Main Authors: Mridula Goswami, Riya Marie Johnson, Archana Singh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1333_24
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author Mridula Goswami
Riya Marie Johnson
Archana Singh
author_facet Mridula Goswami
Riya Marie Johnson
Archana Singh
author_sort Mridula Goswami
collection DOAJ
description Orofacial tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis without pathognomic signs and symptoms. Due to its unusual clinical presentation, orofacial tuberculosis (TB) is more often misdiagnosed as other orofacial pathologies and presents a diagnostic challenge in dentistry. One such case is described in the present case report, where a paediatric patient presented with extraoral submandibular swelling that mimicked an odontogenic infection associated with a mandibular primary molar. The treatment plan was formulated considering the condition as an odontogenic infection, and an incision and drainage of the lesion was performed. However, the lesion showed no signs of healing even after medication and surgical management. Eventually, an incisional biopsy was performed, and the results suggested of Tuberculosis. Later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck revealed Tubercular Lymphadenitis of the left submandibular lymph node. As Paediatric Dentist, we should have a broad vision while treating such patients, as many times dentists are the primary health care providers to diagnose tuberculosis in a dental clinic setup through proper history and examination. Tuberculosis, being an endemic problem in a country like India, needs early diagnosis and management to prevent its spread and reduce the health-related burden in the community.
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institution Kabale University
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publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
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series Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
spelling doaj-art-cd7fd50fef3b4f22ba0e8dca89dea1832025-08-20T03:24:32ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Family Medicine and Primary Care2249-48632278-71352025-05-011452058206110.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1333_24Orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma!Mridula GoswamiRiya Marie JohnsonArchana SinghOrofacial tuberculosis is a rare extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis without pathognomic signs and symptoms. Due to its unusual clinical presentation, orofacial tuberculosis (TB) is more often misdiagnosed as other orofacial pathologies and presents a diagnostic challenge in dentistry. One such case is described in the present case report, where a paediatric patient presented with extraoral submandibular swelling that mimicked an odontogenic infection associated with a mandibular primary molar. The treatment plan was formulated considering the condition as an odontogenic infection, and an incision and drainage of the lesion was performed. However, the lesion showed no signs of healing even after medication and surgical management. Eventually, an incisional biopsy was performed, and the results suggested of Tuberculosis. Later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck revealed Tubercular Lymphadenitis of the left submandibular lymph node. As Paediatric Dentist, we should have a broad vision while treating such patients, as many times dentists are the primary health care providers to diagnose tuberculosis in a dental clinic setup through proper history and examination. Tuberculosis, being an endemic problem in a country like India, needs early diagnosis and management to prevent its spread and reduce the health-related burden in the community.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1333_24extrapulmonary tuberculosisodontogenic abscessorofacial tuberculosispediatric populationtubercular lymphadenitis
spellingShingle Mridula Goswami
Riya Marie Johnson
Archana Singh
Orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma!
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
extrapulmonary tuberculosis
odontogenic abscess
orofacial tuberculosis
pediatric population
tubercular lymphadenitis
title Orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma!
title_full Orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma!
title_fullStr Orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma!
title_full_unstemmed Orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma!
title_short Orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess: A diagnostic dilemma!
title_sort orofacial tuberculosis mimicry of odontogenic abscess a diagnostic dilemma
topic extrapulmonary tuberculosis
odontogenic abscess
orofacial tuberculosis
pediatric population
tubercular lymphadenitis
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1333_24
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AT riyamariejohnson orofacialtuberculosismimicryofodontogenicabscessadiagnosticdilemma
AT archanasingh orofacialtuberculosismimicryofodontogenicabscessadiagnosticdilemma