A Pediatric Case of Tuberculous Osteomyelitis of the Mandible Mimicking a Bony Malignant Tumor

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a granulomatous infectious disease which is still being a real health problem in developing countries. Mainly, this specific infection affects pulmonary sites, but, the occurrence in extra-pulmonary sites is more and more reported. However, when extra-pulmonary tuberculosis affects the cervico-facial region, the cervical lymph nodes are the most involved. Aim: Throughout this case report, we put emphasis on keeping in mind of the possible tuberculous infection in a chronic lesion of mandible in children. Case presentation: In this article, we present a case of a 2-year-old child who was complaining of swelling of the right angle of the mandible. The computed tomography showed an osteolytic lesion suggesting tuberculous osteomyelitis but didn’t rule out a bony malignant neoplasm of the mandible. The histological examination of biopsy of the lesion proved the tuberculous osteomyelitis of the mandible. The child has received anti-tubercular therapy for 9 months, and she marked a good recovery. Conclusion: In children, tuberculous osteomyelitis of the mandible is a curable disease without sequel when diagnosis is given at the right time.