Oral tuberculosis mimicking a traumatic denture ulcer

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) of the oral cavity may be overlooked in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions and can be misdiagnosed and managed incorrectly. A 66-year-old man with complete dentures presented with a nonhealing mucosal ulcer in the upper lip. Despite the treatments performed by a local medical clinic, the ulcerative lesion on the denture-bearing area had not improved over 5 months. A partial excisional biopsy was performed to investigate further. Histopathologic examination revealed granulomatous inflammation caused by TB, and a chest radiograph showed consolidation and cavitation of the upper lobes. The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary TB. This clinical report describes the management of oral TB mimicking a traumatic denture ulcer in a patient with long-term complete denture use.