Primary tuberculous osteomyelitis of the mandible. A case report.

A case of tuberculous osteomyelitis of the mandible in a 76-year-old woman is reported. The patient sought treatment for a periostitis of the left side of the mandible. A purulent discharge was evident. Roentgenographic examination of the mandible revealed bone destruction from the midmandible to the ramus on the left side. The diagnosis was made by microscopic examination of the specimen from the involved bone. This case proved to be primary tuberculous osteomyelitis caused by the absence of the primary focus.