Intraparotid lymph node tuberculosis.
OBJECTIVE
Parotid gland Mycobacterial infection is a rare disease that causes parotid swelling without disease-specific manifestations.


METHODS
We present a case of intraparotid lymph node tuberculosis that mimicked a tumour. Computed tomography of the head and neck indicated a left parotid enlargement involving two intraparotid lymph nodes. The cervical lymph nodes of the ipsilateral posterior triangle and the submandibular and jugulodigastric areas were also enlarged. Contrast enhancement indicated homogenous tissue with no necrotic areas. A biopsy revealed a caseating granuloma most likely due to tuberculosis. A purified protein derivative test gave strong positive results (35 mm). After one month of antituberculous treatment, the cervical lymphadenopathy and left parotid lumpiness disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
Tuberculous parotitis and neoplasms have similar clinical manifestations. In patients with a mass in the parotid gland, a high clinical suspicion of underlying tuberculosis is crucial for establishing an accurate diagnosis and the proper management.
Archontaki
M
M
General Prefectural Hospital of Rethymnon, Crete.
Stamou
A K
AK
Hajiioannou
J K
JK
Kalomenopoulou
M
M
Kyrmizakis
D E
DE
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010309:Parotitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology