Tuberculosis of TMJ presenting as preauricular swelling – A rare case report

Abstract Tuberculosis is an infectious disease affecting multiple organs commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can present as either its primary form or in secondary forms. Primary TB is mostly pulmonary, but it may occur in skin, abdomen, joints, lymph nodes, meninges and central nervous system. Maxillofacial manifestations of tuberculosis form nearly 10% of all extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease. Very few cases of primary TB of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have been reported in the literature. This rarity is the reason for not considering TB in differential diagnosis of the patients presenting with TMJ pain. Owing to its non-specific clinical signs it may be misdiagnosed as osteoarthritis, osteomyelitis, or any other chronic joint disease. Detailed clinical and radiographic examination aided by histopathological and a microbiological diagnostic workup is the key for timely detection and administration of appropriate therapeutic regimens.