title: Tuberculous lymphadenopathy in adults: a review of 35 cases.
abstract: We retrospectively reviewed clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic features of 35 patients (25 female, 10 male, mean age: 33 years, range: 16-70) with tuberculous lymphadenopathy (TB LAP) which had been followed since 1980. The diagnosis was established by tissue sampling in 32 cases (caseating granulomatous adenitis in 89%) or presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in the aspirate in 2 cases and in the drainage in 1 case. Paraffin-embedded granulomatous tissues were stained by Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen (EZN) and also Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (n = 21). The patients were admitted with enlarging LAP (34%), draining LAP (9%), and both systemic complaints and enlarging LAP (57%). Cervical lymph nodes were the most frequently involved site (77%). Pathologic findings on chest X-ray were seen in 23%. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was higher than 100 mm/hour in 25% and associated with systemic complaints. Tuberculin skin test was positive in 91%. AFB could not be seen in any granulomatous tissue (n: 21), but PCR study was positive in 33% (7/21). All patients were given anti-TB treatment (INH,RMP,EMB and/or PZA). Surgical excision of draining LAP with surrounding inflammatory tissues in addition to the medical treatment was needed in 2 cases. Clinical improvement was obtained within 3 months of the treatment and ESR returned to normal within 5 months. After completion of the treatment, 22 patients were followed-up; mean duration was 3 years, and none relapsed. In conclusion, a patient with TB LAP generally presents with a few small, painless, cervical lymph nodes, which are slowly enlarging. For exact diagnosis, excisional biopsy for histologic and microbiologic studies is essential. Use of anti-TB drugs is the main therapeutic option.
authors.affiliation: Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey. rozaras@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mert
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tabak
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ozaras
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tahan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oztürk
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aktuğlu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*