A Clinical Study on Tuberculous Cervical Lymphadenitis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis is one of the common cause of cervical mass in young adult in Korea. Sometimes it appears to be difficult in defining the role of surgery and duration of antituberculous treatment. To clarify the duration of medical treatment and to define the cause of prolonged treatment duration METHODS: we analyzed the clinical data of 62 patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis diagnosed at the Chungnam National University Hospital from Jan. 1994 to July 1996 and all patients were divided into two groups (standard and prolonged) by treatment duration. RESULTS: The most prevalent age group was 20 to 39 years old (67%) and male to female ratio was 12.6. The most common physical finding was painless swelling on neck, standard group was 52%, prolonged group was 42%. The average size of lymph node was 2.7cm and 3.2cm, respectively (p<0.05). In prolonged group, incidence of associated pulmonary tuberculosis and previous antituberculous treatment history were higher than that in standard group (27%, 35% respectively). The most common affected site was right side of neck , whereas 19% of prolonged regimen group were involved in both side of neck. Bacteriological study from node aspirates showed relatively higher positivity in prolonged group (27%) than in standarded group (5%). The causes of prolonged treatment were increased mass(27%) or remnant mass(23%) and the develoment of new node formation and existing nodes after completion of treatment were found in both groups(10% of standard group , 19% of prolonged group). CONCLUSION: A new, prospective trial for proper regimens or duration of antituberculosis treatment is strongly needed.