Clinical Features and Treatment of Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis.
- Author:
Seok Jin HAAM
1
;
Hyo Chae PAIK
;
Doo Yun LEE
;
Kwan wook KIM
;
Hyung yoon CHOI
;
Woosik YU
Author Information
1. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. hcpaik@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Tuberculosis;
Tuberculosis-lymph node
- MeSH:
Chills;
Ethambutol;
Female;
Fever;
Humans;
Isoniazid;
Male;
Medical Records;
Neck;
Pyrazinamide;
Recurrence;
Retrospective Studies;
Rifampin;
Tuberculosis;
Tuberculosis, Lymph Node
- From:The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2010;43(6):716-720
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis. The American Thoracic Society recommends 6 months of isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for treatment of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis, but even with this recommended treatment, frequent relapse occurs in actual clinical situations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records of 38 patients diagnosed and treated for cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis between February 1997 and February 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULT: The study included 14 males (36.8%) and 24 females (63.2%), with a mean age of 36.9+/-16.3 years. The most frequent symptom was palpable neck mass in 24 patients (63.2%); 10 patients (26.3%) complained of fever or chills. Only nine patients (23.7%) had radiologic abnormalities. All patients received anti-tuberculous medications for at least 7 months, with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for the first 2 months, and then isoniazid, rifampin and ethambutol given for more than 5 months. Relapse occurred in 7 patients (21.2%). CONCLUSION: Since many patients with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis have no symptoms and show no radiologic abnormalities, diagnosis and treatment tend to be delayed. Considering the high relapse rate, the anti-tuberculous medication period should be longer than 6 months and this is recommended by the American Thoracic Society.
