Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge because it mimics other pathalogic processes, and because of inconsistent reliability of physical and labaratory findings.
17 cases of tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis were treated and analyzed at the Department of Otolaryngology, Keimyung University Hospital from Jan. 1986 through Dec. 1989.
The results were as follows,
1) Most common age and sex were 20∼40 years, female.
2) Associated pulmonary tuberculosis was exhibited by 6 cases(35%).
3) 7 patients(41%) had abscess formation in the infected nodes and surrounding deep neck space.
4) Associated head and neck lesions were tonsil, middle ear and external ear canal, parotid gland, larynx and pharynx.
5) Histologic examination of the excisional biopsy was most reliable test for confirm the diagnosis.
6) 14 out 17 cases had surgical intervention for I & D and excision of nodes.
7) All patients were subsequently treated with 8∼18 months of antituberculous chemotherapy and had a good results without complication except 1 case recurrence.
|