Oral tuberculosis: unusual radiographic findings

Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2011 May;40(4):251-6. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/75047143.

Abstract

Oral tuberculosis and its radiographic findings are not commonly encountered in an oral and maxillofacial radiology practice. Literature has occasional mention of the radiographic findings of oral tuberculosis, which are still ambiguous. When affected, it is manifested majorly in the oral mucosa and rarely in the jaw bones. Here, we report certain unusual radiographic findings of oral tuberculosis which have been rarely mentioned in the literature. Four illustrative cases describe bony resorption, condylar resorption, resorption of the inferior border of the mandible and rarefaction of the alveolar bone as radiographic findings of oral tuberculosis. Follow up of the first case demonstrated regeneration of the condylar head after anti-Kochs therapy was completed, a hitherto unreported phenomenon. The importance of including tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of some of the unusual radiographic manifestations is emphasized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Bone Resorption / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandibular Condyle / diagnostic imaging
  • Mandibular Condyle / pathology
  • Mandibular Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
  • Tuberculosis, Oral / diagnostic imaging*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate