Primary Sinonasal Tuberculosis: A Diagnostic Challenge

Abstract

Primary sinonasal tuberculosis remains a diagnosticchallenge as it mimics sinonasal granulomatous disease or neoplasms. Its characteristic signs and symptoms may be non-specific and highly variable. Herewe report a unique clinical condition of a 24-year-oldman who presented with unilateral nasal obstructionand epiphora for 2 years. He was without any comorbidity, was immunocompetent, and was otherwisehealthy. Subsequent investigations, including a computed tomography scan of the paranasal sinuses, andperioperative findings revealed a sinonasal mass involving the lateral nasal wall and paranasal sinuses.The histopathology was consistent with the featuresof tuberculosis. There was no evidence of pulmonaryor any other primary tubercular foci elsewhere in thebody, suggesting the diagnosis of primary sinonasaltuberculosis.