Primary Tonsillar Tuberculosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Tuberculosis still maintains its place among important diseases today. This is becoming a problem not only in developing countries but also in developed countries. Upper respiratory tuberculosis is rare in our country. Tuberculosis bacillus can settle in the mouth, tonsils, tongue, nose, epiglottis, larynx, and pharynx. A 16-year-old female patient living in a dormitory was admitted to our clinic with the complaint of tonsillitis recurring 8-9 times a year and a chronic sore throat. Tonsillectomy operation was performed, and tonsillar tissues were sent for pathological examination. Pathology result was reported as caseified granulomatous tonsillitis. Her tuberculin skin test was 20 mm in diameter. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining examination of tonsillar tissue revealed tuberculosis bacillus stained positively in two areas. Other respiratory organs examined for tuberculosis and was found to be normal. With the diagnosis of primary tonsil tuberculosis, the patient was started on anti-tuberculosis treatment with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. After two months of quadruple therapy, isoniazid and rifampicin were given for additional 4 months. The patient is now in the second year after the treatment and no recurrence finding has been observed. Tuberculosis is a disease that can affect all organs and tissues. In this respect, in case of suspicion pathological and microbiological examination of postoperative tonsillectomy materials is particularly important.