Unveiling the Hidden Culprit: A Case Report on Orbital Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a recognized bacterial infection resulting from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, displaying diverse clinical manifestations. While the pulmonary form is the most prevalent, an uncommon occurrence is the orbital tuberculosis. In this instance, we describe a case involving a young female who presented with a swelling of right upper eyelid following trauma. Although initially suspected to be a hematoma, the swelling increased in size at her subsequent visit. Imaging revealed periostitis and an osteolytic lesion of superolateral orbital rim. The excised mass underwent histopathological examination which revealed caseating granulomas and culture on Löwenstein-Jensen yielded positive results. A rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic test known as the MPT 64 antigen detection assay was done to distinguish Mycobacterium tuberculosis and slow growing non-tubercular mycobacteria. Keywords: Orbital Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Paediatric orbital mass