A Rare Case of Primary Tubercular Ulcer Over the Posterior Oropharyngeal Wall

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an acid-fast bacillus that is predominantly transmitted through the respiratory system. Although TB most commonly infects the lungs, it may also affect other organs, resulting in secondary extrapulmonary TB. Extrapulmonary TB may occur alone or in conjunction with a primary pulmonary focus, such as disseminated TB resulting from self-inoculation with infected sputum, blood, or lymphatics. The lymph nodes are the most commonly seen extrapulmonary sites of TB. Oropharyngeal tubercular lesions are infrequent, and primary TB of the oropharynx is even more uncommon. Here, we present an unusual case of oropharyngeal TB in a young immunocompetent patient occurring without any evidence of pulmonary TB or cervical lymphadenopathy.

Keywords: extrapulmonary tuberculosis; mycobacterium tuberculosis; oropharynx; posterior pharyngeal wall; rare tuberculosis involvement.

Figure 1. Ulcerative lesion seen over the posterior wall of the oropharynx.

Figure 2. X-ray of the thorax (posteroanterior) view showing a clear chest.

Figure 3. X-ray of the cervical spine lateral (A) and anteroposterior (B) view revealed no abnormality.