Background and Aims: The objective of this Canned Dog Food study was to analyze and review the clinical and histopathological aspects of oro-facial tuberculosis.Methods: Sixteen cases of oral mucosal biopsies diagnosed as granulomatous pathology consistent with tuberculosis were retrieved from the data base and clinical information and histopathological findings were analyzed retrospectively.Results: Of the total 16 cases, 12 were males while 4 were females.
The age ranged from 15-70 years (mean of 39.6 years).Buccal mucosa, as an involved site, was seen in 31% of cases, while tonsil and soft palate constituted 3 cases each.
Duration of symptoms ranged from 01-12 months (mean of 5.3 months).Oral examination revealed ulceroproliferative lesions in majority of the cases.
Of sixteen cases, six cases (37.5%) each primarily as well as Outdoor Round Cocktail Table secondarily involved oral cavity while in 25% (4/16) of cases the status could not be evaluated.On histopathology, caseating granulomas were seen in 7 of 16 cases (43.
75%) and non-caseating granulomas were seen in rest 56.25% of cases.Ziehl Neelsen stain for acid fast bacilli was positive in 31.
25% (5/16) of cases.Conclusion: Though unusual, tuberculosis should always be included in the differentials of oral lesions in a country endemic to tuberculosis like India.Histopathological evaluation of the biopsy remains the indispensible tool to diagnose oro-facial tuberculosis.