Bilateral tuberculous abscesses on the face (eyelids) of a child.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of tuberculosis with facial abscess.

METHODS

A 4 1/2-year-old girl had an acute left upper eyelid abscess and a large, spherical tumescence involving the right upper eyelid, eyebrow, and forehead. The left upper eyelid abscess was drained, and the mass involving the right eyelid, eyebrow, and forehead was excised.

RESULTS

Histopathologic and microbiologic examination established a human type of tuberculous mycobacterium as the cause of the bilateral facial lesions.

CONCLUSION

Tuberculosis should be considered as a possible cause of abscess even when clinical features are not typical.