Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2014 Sep;7(3):229-231. 10.3342/ceo.2014.7.3.229.

Nasal Deformity Due to Tuberculous Chondritis

• Moon SY
• Lee JA
• Joung MK
• Chung DR
• Song JH
• Peck KR

• KMID: 1973476
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/ceo.2014.7.3.229

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease worldwide. However, nasal TB is quite rare, and the diagnosis of nasal TB requires a high index of suspicion. The most common symptoms of this unusual presentation are nasal obstruction and nasal discharge. We present a case of nasal TB with involvement of the hard palate presenting with a chronically progressive nasal deformity and ulceration of the hard palate. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, and medication for TB was started and the lesions resolved. When a patient presents with chronic ulcerative lesions that do not respond to antibiotic treatment, TB should be included in the differential diagnosis. Biopsy of the lesion can aid in the confirmation of the diagnosis.

Keyword

Tuberculosis; Chondritis; Nose; Deformity

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Congenital Abnormalities*
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Nasal Obstruction
Nose
Palate, Hard
Tuberculosis
Ulcer

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Initial physical examination. The patient presented with a nasal deformity with inflammation (A, B) and a chronic ulcerative lesion of the hard palate (C, arrow).

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  Fig. 2 Computed tomography findings. Perforation of the nasal septum of cartilaginous portion and defect of external nose.

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  Fig. 3 Histopathology of the nasal tissue. (A) Collections of epithelioid histiocytes forming granulomas and multinucleated giant cells against a necrotic background (H&E, ×100). (B) A few acid-fast bacilli were observed (Ziehl-Neelsen, ×1,000).

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  Fig. 4 Follow-up physical examination. Following one year of treatment, the inflammation of the nasal deformity (A) and the chronic ulcerative lesion of the hard palate (B, arrow) both improved.

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