The differential for an ill-defined, bone-destructive, granulomatous lesion of the skull base includes malignancy, as well as autoimmune and infectious processes. Suspicion for tuberculosis of the skull base in high-risk patients is particularly necessary given the difficulty to culture on standard cultures, need for specific and prolonged antibiotic therapy, and dire morbidity if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Repeat biopsies and cultures were necessary to diagnose this case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis of the skull base after initial biopsy was non-diagnostic. Laryngoscope, 2024.
Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; clivus; cranial base; nose and paranasal sinuses; skull base malignancy; skull base osteomyelitis; small round blue cells.
© 2024 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.