Vol.96 No.7 contents
PRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 96 No.7 July 2003
Evaluation of Cervical Lymph Node Tuberculosis
Katsuyuki Kawamoto, Hiromi Takeuchi, Kei Nakahara,
Shigeru Higami and Hiroya Kitano
(Tottori University)
From January 1990 to December 1999, we treated twelve patients with cervical lymph node tuberculosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological findings of biopsy, 10 cases by resection of lymph node, 1 case by fine needle aspiration biopsy and 1 case was diagnosed following resection of lymph node at another hospital. After diagnosis, all patients received antituberculous chemotherapy and one patient with pocket formation underwent total resection of neck masses with infectious skin. Four cases were lost to follow-up, but the others showed good response and had no recurrence.
Tuberculosis is an important infectious disease demanding constant attention because of the possibility of herd infection. We should consider tuberculosis when cervical lymph node swelling is seen, and early diagnosis and treatment are needed to prevent the spread of infection to others. Antituberculous chemotherapy is effective, however, when pocket and abscess formation occur, combination therapy of chemotherapy and operation such as neck dissection are needed in early course.
Key words : cervical lymph node, tuberculosis, biopsy, neck dissection