Primary Tuberculosis of Tonsil in a Diabetic Patient—A Case Report

Abstract

Though Tuberculosis is one of the most common causes of ill health and death worldwide, people with diabetes have 2 - 3 times higher risk of tuberculosis when compared with people without diabetes. Though tuberculosis can affect any part of the body, oral and oropharyngeal tuberculosis is rare, but reported. And it’s association with diabetes mellitus because of the decreased host mechanism, is still rare, but reported. A 50-year-old female diabetic who was on insulin therapy came to OPD of MGM hospital, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal with complaints of severe pain in throat for the last 6 months. On examination, right tonsil was enlarged with granular surface. Left tonsil and rest of the oropharynx were normal. Examination of chest was normal and there was no evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Punch biopsy revealed tuberculosis of tonsil. Isolated cases of primary tuberculosis of tonsil without evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis are rare. Presence of diabetes mellitus makes patients 2 - 3 times more vulnerable for tubercular infection.