Pattern of Oral Lesions in Tuberculosis Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

• Main Authors: S C Selvamuthukumar, Nalini Aswath, V Anand
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology
• Subjects: Primary oral tubercular lesion; Lip crusting lesions; Ulceration; Drug eruption
• Online Access: http://www.jiaomr.in/article.asp?issn=0972-1363;year=2011;volume=23;issue=3;spage=199;epage=203;aulast=Selvamuthukumar;type=0

Introduction: The oral manifestations of tuberculosis forma unique clinical picture. Tuberculosis can occur in the mouth particularly involving the tongue with bizarre and unusual forms. The various manifestations of the oral tubercular lesions produce a distinct pattern of clinical picture and they show a predilection for certain areas of the mouth. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study primarily relying on the comparative assessment of the clinical appearance of the lesions found with that of the previously documented and well-described lesions in authoritative books and journals. A thorough case history specific to tuberculosis was gathered by the aid of a specifically structured proforma and a complete oral examination was done with systematic photography. Results: A total of 78 patients were examined, ranging from 13 to 80 years comprising of 69 male and nine female patients. Out of the 78 patients examined, only 57 had oral lesions. Twenty-one patients did not show any mucosal abnormality- Forty-six (60%) patients had pulmonary tuberculosis and 32 (40%) patients had extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Comorbidities present were predominantly diabetes mellitus in 12 patients, HIV infection in four patients, coronary artery disease in two patients, erosive gastric and liver disease in one patient and hypertension in one patient. Conclusion: Apart from the oral lesions that occur in a normal nontuberculosis patient group (the regular lesions) lesions peculiar to the tuberculosis group of patients were recorded. They comprised primarily of lip crusting lesions, ulcerations of buccal mucosa and palate. A soft tissue enlargement was found involving the tongue and the floor of the mouth and was diagnosed as ′primary oral tuberculosis.′ Drug eruptions on the lips due to rifampicin were noted.