Magnetic Resonance Imaging in COVID-19 Associated Rhino-Sinusal Mucormycosis.

Rhino-sinusal mucormycosis is an acute invasive fungal infection rarely encountered in the clinical setting, occurring in severe immunosuppressed patients. However, in patients suffering from COVID-19 disease a dramatic increase in the incidence of mucormycosis has been recorded. The aim of the study is to discuss the MRI findings of patients with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. This is a retrospective review of 10 hospitalized and operated patients in three Otolaryngologic Departments between the 1st of February 2021 and the 30th of October 2021. All patients presented nasal mucormycosis, histologically verified along with documented SARS-CoV-2 positive RT-PCR test. The sinus involvement, extra sinus spread and peri-sinus invasion were documented in all patients. The correlation between MRI and intra-operative findings was also assessed. The black turbinate sign and peri-antral soft tissue infiltration are early MRI signs characteristic of mucormycosis. Moreoever, MRI has a significantly high positive predictive value for intra-operative findings in COVID-19 associated mucormycosis.

A Retrospective Analysis from Western Romania Comparing the Treatment and Survivability of p16-Positive versus p16-Negative Oropharyngeal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oropharyngeal cancer is a global health concern due to its multifaceted nature. Recent molecular studies have linked p16 overexpression, associated with the human papillomavirus, to oropharyngeal cancer and its prognostic implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study in Western Romania examined 60 patients, categorizing them based on p16 biomarker status: 28 were p16 positive, and 32 were p16 negative. Statistical tests, including Fisher's exact and chi2, were used for analysis. RESULTS: Patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer exhibited a better prognosis (3-year survival, p = 0.0477; midtreatment, p = 0.0349) and reported lower alcohol (p = 0.0046) and tobacco (p < 0.0001) use. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of p16 testing in oropharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis. It suggests modifying treatment approaches based on p16 status and underscores the differing prognoses associated with p16-positive and p16-negative cases.

COVID-19-Associated Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis: Histological and Electron Microscopy Characteristics.

COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis has become a new clinical entity. This study's aim was to evaluate the histopathological and ultramicroscopic morphological aspects of this fungal infection. This was an observational retrospective study on eight patients from three tertiary centers in Romania. The tissue samples collected during functional endoscopic sinus surgery were studied through histopathological examination, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In the histopathological examination, the morphological aspects characteristic of mucormycosis in all cases were identified: wide aseptate hyphae with right-angle ramifications, which invade blood vessels. One case presented perineural invasion into the perineural lymphatics. And in another case, mucormycosis-aspergillosis fungal coinfection was identified. Through scanning electron microscopy, long hyphae on the surface of the mucosa surrounded by cells belonging to the local immune system were identified in all samples, and bacterial biofilms were identified in half of the samples. Through transmission electron microscopy, aseptate hyphae and bacterial elements were identified in the majority of the samples. Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 produces nasal sinus dysbiosis, which favors the appearance of bacterial biofilms. The way in which the infection develops depends on the interaction of the fungi with cells of the immune system.

A Review Regarding the Connections between Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma - Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by an acute or chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa, being frequently associated with other airway conditions such as sinusitis, serous otitis media, nasal polyposis, sleep disorders and asthma in particular. Among the comorbidities of allergic rhinitis it counts asthma, being a risk factor for this disorder, in which, more than 75% of patients develop asthma (either allergic or nonallergic), whereas the patients with allergic rhinitis can be affected up to 40% by asthma. The classic symptoms for allergic rhinitis involves sneezing, nasal mucosal swelling and watery rhinorrhea; whereas the main symptoms which occurred in patients with asthma are wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing, fast heartbeat, confusion, exhaustion or dizziness. Avoiding allergens is the first line of treatment for allergic rhinitis, followed by medication and allergen immunotherapy. Due to the strong connection between allergic rhinitis and asthma, one can affirm that the treatment for allergic rhinitis lead to the improvement of asthma symptoms. One can diagnose asthma by recognizing a certain pattern of respiratory symptoms and expiratory airflow restriction, which varies for each patient. In conclusion, accurate identification of the differences between allergic rhinitis and asthma depends on a thorough history, physical examination, and therapeutic treatments. This article provides an overview of the connection between these disorders, as well as of the diagnosis of these conditions and their current management options.

High-Resolution Computed Tomography in Middle Ear Cholesteatoma: How Much Do We Need It?

Background and Objectives: The diagnosis of cholesteatoma is usually clinic, and the only efficient treatment is surgical. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is not considered absolutely necessary for the management of an uncomplicated cholesteatoma, but unsuspected situations from a clinical point of view can be discovered using the scans, warning the surgeon. Our objective is to compare HRCT scan information with intraoperative findings in patients with cholesteatoma and analyze the usefulness of a preoperative HRCT scan from a surgical point of view. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania, from May 2021 to April 2022. It was carried out on 46 patients with a clinical diagnosis of cholesteatoma who were consequently operated on in our department. All patients received full clinical and audiological examinations. In all cases, an HRCT scan was performed preoperatively as a mandatory investigation. Preoperative HRCT scans were analyzed, and their findings were compared to the intraoperative notes. The two sets of observations were analyzed using standard statistical methods. Results: Extensive cholesteatoma was the most common type of disease, involving 46% of the patients, followed by pars flaccida cholesteatoma (35%) and pars tensa cholesteatoma (19%). Eroded scutum was the most frequent lesion involving 70% of the patients, followed by incus erosion (67%). Comparison of the HRCT and intraoperative findings revealed a very good correlation for tegmen tympani erosion, sigmoid plate erosion, scutum and malleus erosion, and a moderate-to-good correlation for lateral semicircular canal erosion, incus and stapes erosion, and fallopian canal erosion. Conclusions: HRCT is a valuable tool in the preoperative assessment of cholesteatoma, helping in making surgical decisions. It can accurately predict the extent of disease and is helpful for detecting unapparent dangerous situations. However, it is not very accurate in detecting fallopian canal and stapes erosion.

Leiomyoma with Uncommon Localization-Incisive Papilla and Palatal Fibromucosa: A Case Report.

The current paper presents a case of a 33-year-old female with an uncommon localization of a leiomyoma in the oral cavity-the anterior palatal fibromucosa and the incisive papilla. The patient referred to the Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery Clinic of Emergency City Hospital Timisoara, Romania, complaining of a slight discomfort in the act of mastication and the occurrence and persistence of a diastema between the upper central incisors, due to the presence of a nodule located in the anterior palatal mucosa, between the upper central incisors, without any changes of the subjacent bone structure in the anterior hard palate visible on a cone beam computed tomography image (CBCT). The lesion was removed using a surgical excisional biopsy and a histopathological examination was performed using morphological Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and additional immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions, in order to confirm the diagnosis. On microscopic examination, bundles of spindle cells were found with eosinophilic cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei, with finely granular chromatin. The immunohistochemical reactions were positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA) and desmin and negative for vimentin. The treatment of choice for leiomyoma of the oral cavity is surgical excision with clear margins, followed by periodical clinical monitoring.

Otosclerosis under the magnifying glass.

Otosclerosis is a bone condition affecting the stapes bone within the otic capsule, and its exact cause is still unknown. It is characterized by a lack of proper remodeling of newly formed vascular and woven bone, leading to the development of abnormal osteons and the formation of sclerotic bone. Bilateral otosclerosis is seen in 80% of patients and 60% of otosclerosis patients have a family history of the condition. The etiology of this disease is still unknown, there are lots of theories to explain it. The histopathological (HP) studies of otosclerosis showed that osteoblasts, osteoclasts, vascular proliferation, fibroblasts, and histiocytes were observed in the stapes footplate. The onset of the symptoms occurs by the early third decade of life, usually it doesn't start later. In otosclerosis, the energy exerted by sound at the level of the tympanic membrane is reduced in the inner ear due to the fixation and rigidity of the ossicular chain, leading to hearing loss, especially for low frequencies. The primary clinical symptom of otosclerosis is conductive hearing loss but it is important to note that sensorineural hearing loss and mixed hearing loss can also occur as secondary symptoms of the condition. Another symptom present in patients with otosclerosis is tinnitus. The paper carried out a retrospective study of 70 patients diagnosed with otosclerosis in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Emergency City Hospital, Timisoara, Romania, between January 2021 to December 2022. Tissue fragments were processed at Service of Pathology by standard Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. The HP diagnosis was completed using Masson's trichrome staining, Giemsa histochemical staining, and immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions with anti-cluster of differentiation (CD)20, anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD34, and anti-CD31 antibodies. The microscopic examination showed a chronic diffuse inflammatory infiltrate that consisted predominantly of mature T-lymphocytes, immunohistochemically positive for CD3, CD4 and CD8. There were also present rare CD20-positive B-lymphocytes. Among the lymphocytes, relatively numerous mast cells were identified, highlighted histochemically by the Giemsa staining. They had numerous purple-violet intracytoplasmic granules. In the connective tissue support, a relatively rich vascular network was identified, consisting of hyperemic capillaries, highlighted immunohistochemically with anti-CD31 and anti-CD34 antibodies. Bone tissues trabeculae showed extensive areas of fibrosis. The collagen fibers were highlighted by Masson's trichrome staining, being stained in green, blue, or bluish green.

Subglottotracheal Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma in a 16-Year-Old Female-A Case Report.

Cystic adenoid carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant epithelial tumor arising from exocrine glands and accounts for only 1% of head and neck cancers. ACCs are common in the fifth and sixth decades of life, predominantly in women, and characterized by slow progression, local aggression, recurrence, and high metastasis. Subglottotracheal ACC is a rare tumor in the pediatric population, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We present a case of a 16-year-old female who was diagnosed with ACC in the subglottic and tracheal region. The patient presented with respiratory failure but without a history of dysphonia, dyspnea, stridor, or dysphagia. The diagnosis was confirmed by a biopsy, and subsequent imaging studies showed a large tumor involving the subglottic and tracheal region. The therapeutic management of this patient has been challenging due to the rarity of this tumor in the pediatric population and the potential long-term complications associated with tumor recurrence and psychological impact. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the management of subglottotracheal ACC in children and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient outcomes.

Efficacy of Bilateral Cochlear Implantation in Pediatric and Adult Patients with Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Retrospective Analysis in a Developing European Country.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of bilateral cochlear implantation in patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss at the Timisoara Municipal Emergency Clinical Hospital ENT Clinic. The study involved 77 participants, divided into four groups based on their hearing loss characteristics and implantation history. Assessments were conducted pre- and post-implantation, focusing on speech perception, speech production, and reading achievement. Standard surgical procedures were performed, and participants were provided with a comprehensive rehabilitation program involving auditory training and communication therapy. The variables considered for analysis included demographic factors, implantation period, and quality of life assessment, with no statistically significant differences pre-implantation between the four study groups. Results revealed significant improvements in speech perception, speech production, and reading achievement after cochlear implantation. In adult patients, speech perception scores increased from 21.3% to 73.4% for WIPI and from 22.7% to 68.4% for HINT after 12 months of rehabilitation. Speech production scores improved from 33.5% to 76.8% and reading achievement scores increased from 76.2 to 106.3. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in patients' quality of life following cochlear implantation, with mean scores increasing from 2.0 to 4.2. Although it is known that bilateral cochlear implantation significantly improves speech perception, speech production, reading achievement, and quality of life in patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, this is the first study of its kind from Romania. Further research is warranted to optimize patient selection and rehabilitation strategies to maximize outcomes and determine better policies towards funding and access of cochlear implants for a wider range of patients in need.

Olfactory Neuroblastoma-A Challenging Fine Line between Metastasis and Hematology.

Developing in a limited space, rare tumors located at the nose and paranasal sinuses are sometimes difficult to diagnose due to their modest clinical presentation, which is uncorrelated with anatomopathological diversity. This limits the preoperative diagnosis without added immune histochemical study; for that reason, we present our experience with these tumors with the intention of raising awareness. The patient included in our study was investigated by our department through clinical and endoscopic examination, imaging investigations, and an anatomic-pathological study. The selected patient gave consent for participation and inclusion in this research study in compliance with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki.

Tongue Base Ectopic Thyroid Tissue-Is It a Rare Encounter?

Failure in the embryological development of the thyroid in adults is rarely seen. We present the case of a 79-year-old female patient who complained of dysphagia and progressive upper respiratory obstruction, which started 12 months prior to her admission. An ENT clinical exam revealed a tongue base, spherical, well-defined tumour covered by normal mucosa. Further assessments established the diagnosis of the tongue base ectopic thyroid tissue. Due to the patient's symptoms, a transhyoid tongue base tumour removal was performed. The selected patient gave consent for participation and inclusion in this paper, in compliance with the 1964 Helsinki declaration.

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA)-A Multidisciplinary Approach of a Case Report.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an atypical, multisystem disease with unknown etiology that generally affects both genders equally, with a predominance in the Caucasian racial group for individuals in their fourth decade. The disease affects the small vessels of the respiratory system, lungs, and kidneys. ENT manifestations are common, but ocular involvement is also frequent and can occur as an initial harbinger of the disease. The signs and symptoms of the disease are non-pathognomonic and sometimes localized, but it carries a poor prognosis if left untreated. Early diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis can be difficult and is established by a clinical examination along with laboratory tests for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and anatomopathological exam results that showcase necrosis, granulomatous inflammation, and vasculitis. Although the ocular involvement is not life threatening, it can cause blindness and may also be a sign of the active form of this systemic fatal disease. Treatment strategies involving immunosuppression and adjuvant therapies improve the prognosis. In this article we present a rare case of a patient diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis in our ENT department in 2003, with a follow-up for19 years in our clinic.

A rare encounter with two cases of Budd­Chiari syndrome in the Emergency Department: A case report.

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disorder clinically characterized by abdominal pain, hepatomegaly and ascites. The condition is often related to thrombosis of the hepatic veins or the terminal portion of the inferior vena cava. A myeloproliferative disorder is the most identified underlying prothrombotic risk factor, although almost one-half of affected patients are now recognized as having multiple underlying prothrombotic risk factors. Doppler ultrasound may be enough to confirm the diagnosis of BCS; however, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is often employed. Anticoagulant therapy is the cornerstone of BCS treatment, but most patients also need additional treatment strategies. Most patients with BCS are now treated by endovascular intervention, which has improved survival rate in those afflicted by this disease. The long-term course of the disease can be complicated by progression or recurrence of the underlying myeloproliferative disorder. The present study reports the cases of two patients with BCS with the aim of alerting healthcare workers in Emergency Departments of this less common diagnosis in patients presenting with frequent complaints of abdominal pain.

Allergic rhinitis associated with nasal polyps and rhinosinusitis - histopathological and immunohistochemical study.

Currently, allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common allergic disease worldwide. AR is defined as immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated chronic inflammatory disease of the upper airways. It characterizes by symptoms like nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, and sneezing. The immune system and genetic susceptibility in the interaction with the environment lead to the development of AR. Many cytokines, chemokines and cells maintain allergic inflammation. Studies show that 10% to 30% of the adult population are affected, and that prevalence rates are increasing world widely. AR, nasal polyps (NP), as well as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are all associated with eosinophilic infiltration and large quantities of mast cells (MCs) within the mucosa. The diagnosis and management of chronic sinonasal diseases involves the analysis of eosinophilic infiltration, MCs, and their markers eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase. Regarding nasal cancer, nasal allergies were found to exhibit a dual function: immune surveillance may help in the defense against malignant cells, but an opposite effect is observed in tissues with chronic stimulation and inflammation. In the present paper, we studied a group of 70 patients diagnosed with AR and NP, rhinosinusitis or nasal cancer, admitted to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Clinic of the Emergency City Hospital, Timisoara, Romania, between January 2016 and December 2020, and we identified 37 (53%) patients diagnosed with AR and NP, 25 (36%) patients diagnosed with AR and rhinosinusitis, and eight (11%) patients diagnosed with AR and nasal cancer. The average age of the patients was 53 years old. Every patient included in the study was histopathologically and immunohistochemically diagnosed.

Development and Preliminary Characterization of Polyester-Urethane Microparticles Used in Curcumin Drug Delivery System for Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Background and Objectives: Curcumin (Cc) as an active substance is known for its anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic effects, together with its role in cholesterol regulation, and its use in different gastrointestinal derangements. On the other hand, curcumin can be used for its properties as an inactive substance, with Cc particles being more often tested in pharmaceutical formulations for drug delivery, with promising safety records and kinetics. The aim of this research was to obtain and characterize polyurethane microparticles that can be used as a carrier with a controlled Cc release. Materials and Methods: The in vitro samples were characterized by the Zetasizer procedure, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, while the in-vivo measurements on human subjects were performed by non-invasive skin assays (trans-epidermal water loss, erythema, and skin hydration). A total of 16 patients with oropharyngeal cancer stages II and III in equal proportions were recruited for participation. Results: The experimental values of sample characteristics using the Zetasizer identified a mean structural size of 215 nm in the polyester-urethane preparate (PU), compared to 271 nm in the curcumin-based PU. Although the size was statistically significantly different, the IPDI and Zeta potential did not differ significantly (22.91 mV vs. 23.74 mV). The average age during the study period was 57.6 years for patients in the PU group, respectively, and 55.1 years in those who received the curcumin preparations. The majority of oropharyngeal cancers were of HPV-related etiology. There were no significant side effects; 75.0% of patients in the PU group reporting no side effects, compared to 87.5% in the Cc group. The 48 h TEWL measurement at the end of the experiment found a statistically significant difference between the PU and the Cc group (2.2 g/h/m2 vs. 2.6 g/h/m2). The erythema assessment showed a starting measurement point for both research groups with a 5.1-unit difference. After 48 h, the difference between PU and PU_Cc was just 1.7 units (p-value = 0.576). The overall difference compared to the reference group with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was statistically significant at a 95% significance level. Conclusions: Our findings indicate the obtaining of almost homogeneous particles with a medium tendency to form agglomerations, with a good capacity of encapsulation (around 60%), a medium release rate, and a non-irritative potential. Therefore, this polyester-urethane with Cc microparticles can be tested in other clinical evaluations.

Laryngeal malignancies - epidemiological data and particularities of the cases diagnosed in Western Romania (October 2016-July 2020).

In the last decade, the incidence and mortality associated with laryngeal malignancies has experienced an unfavorable evolution in Romania, in terms of this pathology the country that has become the leader, among the European Union (EU)-27 countries. The aim of the present retrospective study was to analyze the epidemiological data regarding laryngeal cancer and histopathological (HP) particularities in patients diagnosed in Western Romania. Within three years and 10 months (during October 2016-July 2020) in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic of Timisoara Municipal Emergency Clinical Hospital, 194 patients with laryngeal neoplasms (LN) were diagnosed. Most of the patients were male (93.8%), from Timis County, mainly and the neighboring Counties of Caras-Severin, Hunedoara, Mehedinti and Arad. Patient's average age (both sexes) was 62.6 years, with a range from 38 to 84 years and the highest percentages in the 60+ age group (48%). Regarding smoker status, the main cause of the development of the LN, 93.9% of patients were active ones. Regarding localization [International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11)], about 69% were malignant neoplasm of glottis (C32.0), followed by supraglottis (C32.1), larynx-unspecified (C32.9), and subglottis (C32.2). From the HP point of view, several types of tumors were identified, most of which were non-keratinized and keratinized squamous cell carcinomas (about 90%). In addition, there were identified types of verrucous carcinoma, acantholytic carcinoma, squamous papilloma, a possible pleomorphic sarcoma, and pyogenic granuloma. The data presented in this study highlight the growing incidence of LN, which mainly affect men, at an increasingly young age. It is imperative to involve specialists from nutrition, general medicine, ENT, dentistry to start awareness programs and to develop prevention protocols.

Conventional grade 1 chondrosarcoma: a challenging diagnosis with important implications on therapy and prognosis.

Chondrosarcoma (CHS) is a malignant tumor of soft tissue with cartilaginous differentiation that represent one tenth of all malignant proliferations developed from bone tissues. Even if CHS represents the third malignancy with bone localization, after myeloma and osteosarcoma, it is far less diagnosed in the head and neck region. The current paper presented two cases of conventional CHSs, which were diagnosed in Department of Thoracic Surgery and Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Emergency City Hospital, Timisoara, Romania, between February and June 2021. The malignant cases were of peripheral CHSs, one of scapula, and the other one had an extremely rare tracheal location with microscopic features of conventional low-grade tumors (grade 1). In all cases, conservative surgical curative treatment was performed, with a favorable postoperative evolution.

Triamcinolone acetonide induces sterile endophthalmitis in patients with intermediate uveitis: A case report series.

Due to their anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic and antiedematous properties, corticosteroids have been commonly used in the treatment of retinal diseases. Intravitreal administration of steroids offers the maximal drug efficacy and the lowest risk of systemic side effects. The authors report three cases of presumed sterile endophthalmitis induced by triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in three eyes with intermediate non-infectious uveitis. Each patient received a single intravitreal injection of TA of 4 mg. Because of the intense vitreous inflammatory reaction, retina examination and the optical coherence tomography could not be performed, although vitreous opacities were observed on the ocular ultrasound. The dense vitreous opacity is a defining factor, the anterior segment inflammation is mild to moderate and a hypopyon is present, which may be a sterile inflammatory reaction or the triamcinolone material itself. In cases of sterile endophthalmitis, the visual acuity increases progressively as the intraocular inflammation diminishes. Local treatment with topical antibiotics, prednisolone acetate and cycloplegic eyedrops is recommended to control the inflammatory reaction.

Fortuitous discovery of melanomas in the ENT Department - a histopathological and immunohistochemical study.

The melanoma, having its origin in the melanocyte cells, is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer in the world with one of the highest rates of brain metastasis. The incidence of cutaneous melanoma in the Mediterranean countries varies from three to five cases∕100 000 people∕year. Its prognosis is based on an early diagnosis. Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) is an extremely rare tumor, accounting for 0.3-2% of all melanomas. The non-specific symptomatology is often delaying the presentation of the patient at the hospital and therefore the diagnosis. The SNMM is a highly aggressive tumor, and the presence of metastasis at the diagnosis usually implies a poor prognosis. The management of the melanomas requires a precise pre-therapeutic assessment and a multidisciplinary approach for the diagnosis, with surgical treatment or radiotherapy required in order to ensure a better a quality of life. In this paper, we retrospectively analyzed two cases of mucosal melanoma and one case of cutaneous melanoma of the nose.

Primary tonsillar tuberculosis - case report.

We report the case of a 44-year-old male patient with tonsillar tuberculosis (TB) diagnosed in the Department of Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT), "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania. The patient addressed to our Clinic with intense odynophagia, referred otalgia, sore throat, fever periods and weight loss. During the ENT clinical exam, we identified an enlarged left tonsil, partially covered with yellowish-white plaque, with ulceration and bleeding spots localized on tonsillar inferior pole. A high suspicion of tonsillar malignancy was raised, and a biopsy was performed revealing extrapulmonary TB. Taking into consideration the normal chest X-ray, a primary tonsillar TB diagnosis was established. The patient was addressed to Department of Pneumophthisiology for anti-tuberculous therapy for six months. At the end of the treatment, the patient was symptoms-free.