Tongue Ulceration as a First Symptom of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Since the introduction of effective chemotherapy, the development of new diagnostic tools, and raising public awareness of the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB), the frequency of this disease has decreased. Pulmonary TB is the most common form of the disease, but TB bacilli can spread to other organs including lymph nodes, and the oral cavity especially the tongue with very unusual features. Oral lesions, although rare, are very important for early diagnosis and interception of primary TB. The bacteriological and histopathological results are important to confirm the diagnosis. Oral TB lesions may be either primary or secondary. The evolution is generally good under a medical treatment. A 35-year-old patient was admitted to our department for an ulcerous tumor in the lateral border of his tongue. The biopsy of the ulceration confirmed the diagnosis of TB. A concomitant pulmonary localization has been found. This case report aims to attract the attention of TB, which can be located in some uncommon regions, and have unusual clinical presentations.