Evaluation of tuberculous parotitis cases with the pooled analysis method

Abstract

Objectives: Tuberculous parotitis (TP) is a disease that should be considered in the differential diagnosis along with parotid malignancy and other parotid inflammatory diseases due to its clinical features. Advanced diagnostic methods have made the diagnosis of tuberculous parotitis much easier. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reported TP cases in Turkey. Materials and methods: The pooled analysis method was used in the study. Using the keywords, a total of 23 articles were found in five databases. The study included 18 articles, with five articles published before the year 2000 being eliminated. Results: The articles were all case reports and case series. A total of 18 articles were used to evaluate data from 26 cases. The mean age of the cases was 37.7 (9-72) years, with 8 males and 18 females. In 13 of the cases, the localization was on the right side, 11 on the left, bilaterally in one, and unspecified in one. The most common complaints in terms of symptoms were facial swelling (96%), neck swelling (11.5%), high fever (7.7%), eye swelling (3.8%), painful jaw movements (3.8%), and shoulder swelling (3.8%). The average duration of symptoms was 32.3 months (10 days-30 years). Concurrent HIV infection was never reported. There was no history of tuberculosis in any of the cases. Four cases had a tuberculosis family history, while 15 did not. In addition to localized physical examination findings, fever was reported in two cases, as were ocular findings in two cases, weight loss in one case, shoulder pain in one case, and cough and sputum in one case. One patient had cervical vertebra tuberculosis with retropharyngeal abscess and parotid gland involvement. Conclusion: Tuberculous parotitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid gland involvement, particularly in endemic regions such as our country.