[Secondary tuberculosis of palatine tonsils--the case report and review of literature]

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis, though rarely, is still present in the anatomical area of the laryngological examination.

Material and methods: A case of 45-year-old woman with secondary tonsillar tuberculosis and poorly symptomatic pulmonary involvement is reported.

Results: She presented with symptoms of chronic tonsillitis and was subjected to tonsillectomy. Because of systemic infection ailments she underwent further internal diagnosis. The histopathological examination of palatine tonsils and result of chest X-ray established the diagnosis of tuberculosis. She was treated with antituberculous drugs for 6 months and achieved improvement.

Conclusions: The difficulties in diagnosis in this unusual presentation of tuberculosis mimicking chronic non-specific inflammation as well as poorly symptomatic massive pulmonary involvement are outlined.