ABSTRACT
Tuberculous infection of the upper respiratory tract is an uncommon clinical condition and in that nasopharyngeal involvement is struck with rarity per se. This condition is often prevalent in people of low socioeconomic strata living in endemic areas, especially in developing countries. It has a silent and indolent course and most commonly mimicks nasopharyngeal carcinoma in its clinical presentation. In absence of concurrent pulmonary involvement, it is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed only after the biopsy has been taken. Nevertheless, high index of suspicion is required on part of the clinician to diagnose this comparatively rare entity.
Subject(s)
Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use , Adult , Bacillus , HIV , Humans , Male , Nasopharyngeal Diseases/diagnosis , Nasopharyngeal Diseases/drug therapy , Nasopharyngeal Diseases/microbiology , Nasopharynx/microbiology , Nasopharynx/pathology , Staining and Labeling , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Tuberculosis/drug therapy , Tuberculosis/microbiologyABSTRACT
Considerable variation exists between the clinical presentation of tuberculous otitis media (TOM) seen nowadays and what was described earlier. Confusing clinical picture and subsequent delay in diagnosis of TOM permits it to progress unhindered and results in permanent disabling conditions like facial paralysis and profound hearing loss. Hence an early diagnosis of TOM and timely commencement of appropriate therapy remains a challenging task. A high index of suspicion is required on part of the clinician to diagnose this fabled entity.