From Tehran U: A misdiagnosis led to an extensive skull base surgery: infratemporal tuberculosis mimicking giant cell tumor

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013 Jan;65(1):83-5. doi: 10.1007/s12070-012-0591-9. Epub 2012 Nov 25.

A misdiagnosis led to an extensive skull base surgery: infratemporal tuberculosis mimicking giant cell tumor.

Farshchi S1, Hasibi M2, Ashtiani MT1, Yazdani N1, Mokhtari Z1, Farshchi A3.

Author information

• 1Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Amir-A'lam Hospital, North Sa'adi Ave., Tehran, Iran.
• 2Department Of Infectious Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
• 3Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a major health problem in developing countries. Tuberculosis of the infratemporal region is not common and the diagnosis could be complicated because of the similarity of the presentation to neoplasm. In our paper, we report a 49 year old male presented with a preauricular mass with extension to parotid in right side of the face. The primary histologic diagnosis was giant cell tumor with bony involvement and radical surgery was taken. After 16 months the patient was developed recurrence of the primary lesion in association with post auricular fistula. Ultimately, infratemporal tuberculosis was diagnosed according to result of the drained discharge by AFB microscopy. Therefore, tuberculosis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis of mass lesions in head and neck area, even when there is no history of significant exposure and no systemic signs or symptoms of tuberculosis.