A Case of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infection of the Parotid Gland

Abstract

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections of the parotid gland are very rare, and present mainly in young children. We report herein on a clinical case of a 75-year-old woman with an NTM infection of the right parotid gland. She presented with a mass in front of the right ear. In this case, the result of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was inflammatory changes, so we performed surgery for a definitive diagnosis. Thereafter the culture examination detected Mycobacterium avium comlex. After that, drug treatment was performed at the infectious disease department. If the result of FNAC is inflammatory changes, or if there are signs of inflammation such as swelling or any fistula in the skin, we should suspect mycobacterial infection.