Objectives: Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis is a frequently recurring disease when treated with chemotherapy alone without enough surgical removal of the tuberculous lesions. Authors reviewed retrospectively the treatment result of antituberculous chemotherapy following almost complete surgical removal of tuberculous foci in the neck.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective clinical review and analysis was made in 127 cases of tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis patients treated during the past 10 years from 1989 to 1998 at the Department of General Surgery, Inje University Paik Hospital, Pusan.
Results: 1) The peak age incidence was the 2nd decade(37.8%), and female was predominated over male by 2.3:1. 2) The time interval from the onset of symptoms to the first visit was less than 3 months in 60.6% of the patient. 3) The location of lymphadenitis was the right neck in 60%, the left neck 34%, and bilateral in 6% of the patient. 4) Signs on the first visit showed solitary masses(60%), abscess(25%) and both mixed(15%). 5) 25 patients(19%) had present or past history of tuberculosis; pulmonary tuberculosis 12 patients, tuberculous lymphadenitis 10 patients, and others 3 patients. 6) Locations of tuberculous lymphadenitis were posterior cervical triangle 70, supraclavicular 51, submandibular 19, anterior triangle 16 and others 4 cases. 7) The principle of treatment of cervical lymphadenitis was surgical management followed by chemotherapy. Surgical procedures were excision(s), curettage and drainage of abscess, combination of both, and biopsy in 60%, 22%, 12% and 6% respectively. Mean duration of antituberculous medication was 9 months after surgery. 8) The rate of recurrent and persistent tuberculous lymphadenitis was 9% in 4 years follow up.
Conclusion: Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis is a frequently recurring disease in young adult when only antituberculous chemotherapy was employed without almost complete removal of the lesions. It is considered that antituberculous medications for 6-9 months after removing the foci at a maximal extent by surgical excision and curettage will reduce the recurrence rate or persistence of tuberculous lymphadenitis.
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