A case of primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis

Abstract

We report a case of primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis in a 27-year-old woman who had immigrated to Japan from Vietnam. She initially complained of right cervical swelling. A red granular mass with ulcer was observed in the nasopharyx. A biopsy from the nasopharynx showed tuberculous changes. Tubercle bacilli were detected in a smear of pharyngeal discharge. Since there were no apparent pulmonary tuberculous lesions, we diagnosed the case as primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis. The nasopharyngeal lesion disappeared after three weeks anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis increased despite chemotherapy, and required dissection and drainage. Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy was administered by a short course of carefully monitored treatment.