Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
To review the treatment and outcome of patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck.


METHODS
Retrospective examination of the medical records of patients treated by several surgeons during a 5-year period with a minimum 6-month follow-up.


METHODS
Large teaching children's hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-six children hospitalized for treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck.


METHODS
Resolution of infection, recurrence, and need for additional surgical intervention for cure.


RESULTS
Eleven patients initially were treated by incisional biopsy or incision and drainage procedures; eight patients developed recurrence or a draining sinus tract, necessitating a second surgical procedure. In contrast, 15 patients initially underwent complete excision; only one developed a recurrence (P < .01). Thus, eight (31%) of 26 patients required at least two surgical procedures owing to inadequate initial treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Excisional biopsy is both the diagnostic procedure and treatment of choice for nontuberculous mycobacterial adenitis.
Stewart
M G
MG
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.
Starke
J R
JR
Coker
N J
NJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000601:surgery; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000601:surgery; D009333:Neck; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome