Maxillary myxoma misdiagnosed as tuberculosis

Abstract

We present here the case of a three-year-old girl with a maxillary myxoma misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB). She was referred to our TB clinic with fever for seven months and swelling of the left cheek and a positive Mantoux test. Her mother was also on treatment for TB lymphadenitis. The child had been commenced on anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) two months before, and because of its unusual location of the swelling, we did a Caldwell-Luc procedure and a white gelatinous tissue was obtained which, on histopathological examination, revealed myxomatous tissue and no granulomas. TB culture was negative. The patient was then referred to the ENT department for surgical excision. We present this case, as not all swellings with positive Mantoux test or contact with TB are TB and it is essential to have a tissue diagnosis of TB to prevent unnecessary treatment with ATT drugs.