A rare, unusual presentation of primary tuberculosis in the temporomandibular joint

Publication date: Available online 19 September 2017
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): N.T. Geetha, Amarnath P. Upasi, K.V. Umashakara, Kirthikumar Rai
Tuberculosis (TB) is a very common health problem in developing nations like India. It can present as either its primary form or in secondary forms which are called extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Maxillofacial manifestations of tuberculosis form nearly 10% of all extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease. Extrapulmonary TB involving the maxillofacial region is very rare and it can present in any of the tissues. These infections generally involve the head and neck through haematogenous or lymphatic routes. Very few cases of primary TB of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have been reported in the literature. The presentation of TB infection of the TMJ may resemble an arthritis, osteomyelitis, or any other kind of chronic joint disease. It is very important to diagnose this disease at an early stage. If left untreated, it may prove fatal within 5 years in more than half of the cases. So early diagnosis and management of these cases is needed. In this article we describe a case of primary tuberculosis of the TMJ which presented as a preauricular swelling.



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