Primary tuberculous glossitis in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract

Tuberculous glossitis is a rare entity that has been described sporadically. Primary tuberculous glossitis, as described in this case report, is still exceptional. A 25-year-old male with no known immunosuppressive disorder presented with a tuberculoma at the base of his tongue. This was confirmed by tongue biopsy and a positive polymerase chain reaction response to the mycobacterium. The patient had a favourable response to anti-tubercular treatment. This highlights the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of chronic tongue lesions, even in the absence of pulmonary tuberculosis.