Atypical presentation of tuberculosis

Developing countries such as India face an intense situation with communicable diseases such as tuberculosis (TB). It is an inflammatory infectious granulomatous disease commonly affecting the lungs. Extrapulmonary TB presentations have been documented, with the orofacial region also being involved. TB usually presents as an ulcer in the oral cavity with tongue and lip being the favored sites. TB presenting as a lip swelling is unusual even if it is a secondary lesion with a primary pulmonary involvement. We present a lip swelling and discuss the differential diagnosis. Investigation of ultrasonography revealed a vascular lesion which was disproved, suggesting an increase in vascularity even in diseases such as TB. We present a case of a lip swelling which led to the diagnosis of recurrent pulmonary TB which the patient was unaware of. Findings of histopathology revealing the absence of bacilli are also discussed. Monetary constraints frequently cause a neglect of dangerous diseases such as TB.