Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis: an unusual cause of nasal obstruction and snoring.

OBJECTIVE

To report an extremely rare case of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis.

METHODS

A 35-year-old male patient presented with nasal obstruction and snoring. Nasal endoscopic examination with a rigid endoscope revealed a large mass on the posterior wall and roof of the nasopharynx. A computed tomography scan of the nasopharynx revealed a polypoid mass in the posterior nasopharyngeal wall. Histopathological examination of a biopsy taken from the posterior nasopharyngeal wall revealed granulomatous lesions with caseation necrosis. Treatment was decided after histopathological examination and intradermal positive reaction to tuberculin test, and started a week later. The patient was treated with antituberculosis drugs including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. After six months, the nasopharyngeal examination was absolutely normal, and the patient was also symptom free.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights that nasopharyngeal tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a nasopharyngeal mass, especially in patients from regions of the world where tuberculosis is endemic.