Tonsillar Leishmaniasis: A Rare Clinical Entity Mimicking Malignancy in the Oropharynx - A Case Series from Northeastern Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is a neglected disease in Europe, often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to its variable clinical presentation. Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a rare manifestation of TL, and isolated tonsillar leishmaniasis is an even rarer finding, with very few reported cases. This study aims to expand knowledge on this unusual clinical entity by describing five cases of isolated tonsillar leishmaniasis diagnosed in the Emilia-Romagna region (ERR), northeastern Italy, emphasizing diagnostic challenges and treatment outcomes.

Methods

Between January 2014 and December 2024, all consecutive patients presenting with unilateral tonsillar swelling and pharyngodynia were evaluated at otolaryngology units in ERR hospitals. Histopathological analysis, specia

SUBMITTER: Querzoli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11947358 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature