Tuberculosis of the nasopharynx: clinicopathological features

Abstract

The clinicopathological features of 10 adult patients with nasopharyngeal tuberculosis (TB) are presented. 9 patients had no evidence of chest or systemic disease. 7 patients presented with cervical lymphadenopathy, and only 4 had nasal symptoms. Examination of the nasopharynx showed no abnormality in 2 patients, lymphoid hyperplasia in 4 patients, and a tumour-like mass in 4 patients. These findings suggest that nasopharyngeal TB may occur more frequently as part of an isolated upper respiratory tract infection than as secondary to pulmonary infection. The nasopharynx may be a portal of entry for tubercle bacilli in patients who develop cervical lymphadenitis. Involvement of the nasopharynx by TB may be underdiagnosed because it does not produce obvious symptoms or physical signs in all cases.