Nasal tuberculosis--an update of current clinical and laboratory investigation.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of primary nasal tuberculosis, and to discuss the diagnostic difficulties encountered.


METHODS
A teaching hospital in Norwich, UK.


METHODS
Case report and review of the English language literature concerning tuberculosis affecting the head and neck region.


RESULTS
The diagnosis of nasal tuberculosis is based on: histological identification of granulomatous inflammation; positive testing for acid-alcohol resistant bacilli; and positive culture. Newer diagnostic tests have the advantage of speed and improved accuracy, but are not as yet completely evaluated for the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to consider nasal tuberculosis in the initial differential diagnosis. The quest to exclude a malignancy may lead to unacceptable delays in treatment.
Department of ENT, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK. lmm398@doctors.org.uk
L
L
Masterson
I
I
Srouji
R
R
Kent
A P
AP
Bath
D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000473:pathology; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014375:Tuberculoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery
D000995:Antitubercular Agents