A Retrospective Cohort Study of Major Salivary Gland Tuberculosis: Our 13 Year Experience

The tuberculous infection of major salivary glands is rare because they are relatively resistant to tubercle bacilli. The aim of this study is to present our 13 year experience on major salivary gland tuberculosis. The clinical, histopathological, microbiological and imaging records of 9 cases of major salivary gland tuberculosis were reviewed retrospectively. The cases diagnosed with either microbiological culture and/or polymerase chain reaction assay and/or Histopathological examination were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. There were 9 cases with tuberculous involvement of major salivary glands; parotid (n = 5), submandibular (n = 3), sublingual (n = 1). The most common local symptom was painless swelling present in 8 cases and constitutional symptoms were present in all the cases. The previous history of TB was present in 5 out of 9 cases. Surgical intervention was done in 2 cases of parotid TB for diagnostic purpose and therapeutic intervention was required in 1 patient. Patients responded well to medical therapy. Two patients with disseminated disease died. The major salivary gland is rare in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis is difficult and requires high degree of suspicion especially in isolated cases. Medical management yields satisfactory results.