Tuberculosis de la glándula submaxilar

The salivary gland tuberculosis usually affects the parotid gland in their primary form (without systemic focus); however, secondary tuberculosis usually affects most often the submandibular and sublingual glands. This paper reports the case of a 43-year-old patient who presented with an inflammatory mass in the left submandibular region about three months of duration. On examination we evidenced submandibular tumor, indurated, mobile, and not adhered to deep planes with a size of 1.2 x 1.2 inches. The Mantoux test was positive with a halo of 18 mm. It was decided to perform a submaxillectomy, the histological study showed a submandibular gland and lymph nodes with distorted architecture at the expense of multiple granulomas with extensive areas of necrosis, Ziehl-Neelsen stain was positive (presence of BAAR). The patient needed an additional anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy with four drugs which achieved remission. Despite being a very rare form of presentation, it is important to suspect tuberculosis of submandibular gland in those patients with involvement at this level of latent evolution with a history of contact with infected people or immunosuppression, in order to reach an accurate diagnosis and apply the appropriate treatment.