Tuberculosis of the oral cavity: a systematic review

Palatal ulceration as the first sign of pulmonary tuberculosis: a case report

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading casues of morbidity and death in a number of countries worldwide. A healthy 42-year-old patient presented with a chronic palatal ulcer that was not responsive to routine antibiotic treatment. A biopsy and further systemic investigation revealed a diagnosis of TB. An eight-month extended course of oral rifampin and isoniazid was instituted successfully resulting in complete resolution of symptoms. It is important that clinicians be aware that chronic oral ulcerations may be the first sign of systemic disease. A biopsy should therefore be mandatory for any chronic oral ulcer not responsive to conventional treatment.

Tubercular ulcer: mimicking squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa

Tuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous disease that rarely affects oral cavity. Tuberculous lesions of the oral cavity are frequently overlooked in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions. The oral clinical presentation of tuberculosis may take many forms as ulcers, nodules, tubercular fissure, tubercular papilloma and tuberculomas. Diagnosis is confirmed by histopathology.

Primary Oral Tuberculosis as an Indicator of HIV Infection

We present a case of primary oral tuberculosis that led to the diagnosis of HIV infection. Our patient had clinically nonspecific ulcers on the labial mucosa and on the ventral surface of the tongue which were diagnosed as being tuberculous only on histological examination. This raised the suspicion of HIV infection that was subsequently confirmed by blood tests. The oral lesions resolved after 4 weeks of antituberculosis treatment. Some aspects of the pathogenesis of HIV-tuberculosis coinfection are discussed.