Tuberculosis of The Parotid Gland in Children - A Report of 4 Cases

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or bovis that can affect all organs. However being located in the salivary glands is rare, affecting mainly adults between 20 and 50 years, although a few cases were described in children. We reported a series of 4 children with parotid TB diagnosed and treated at the ENT department of the hospital of specialties of Rabat. The average age was 9.25 years and sex ratio M/F was 1. All children were admitted for parotid swelling evolving over an average period of 6 months which fistulized afterwards, a child had also facial paralysis. Histological analysis of the fine-needle aspiration or the sample taken from the fistula confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis with the presence of giant cell granuloma with caseous necrosis. All children received anti-bacillary treatment during 6 months, and showed good evolution. Although being rare, the parotid TB in children remains a condition to be considered at the occurrence of any chronic parotid swelling, especially in endemic countries.