Management of nontuberculous mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis.
OBJECTIVE
To review the treatment and outcome of patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) cervical lymphadenitis.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Tertiary care children's hospital.


METHODS
Thirty consecutive immunocompetent patients (median age, 32 months; age range, 11-147 months) diagnosed as having NTM cervical lymphadenitis over a 77-month period.


METHODS
Primary therapy for 34 foci of NTM cervical lymphadenitis in 30 children consisted of excisional biopsy (n = 8), incision and drainage procedures (n = 14), fine-needle aspiration biopsy (n = 7), observation only (n = 4), and antimycobacterial chemotherapy only (n = 1).


METHODS
(1) Time to cure, (2) recurrent adenitis, and (3) complications associated with therapy were determined for each therapeutic option. The average duration of follow-up was 32 months (range, 6-78 months).


RESULTS
Nearly all patients (97%) were cured of their disease regardless of which therapeutic option was used. Excisional biopsy, while associated with transient marginal mandibular nerve injury in 1 patient, typically resulted in the most rapid resolution of disease. Observation alone did result in eventual cure, although the disease course was protracted. Simple incision and drainage without curettage was associated with prolonged postoperative wound discharge and hypertrophic scarring.


CONCLUSIONS
A variety of therapeutic options were used in children with NTM cervical lymphadenitis. Resolution of infection was an eventual outcome regardless of treatment option, although duration of disease, potential for facial nerve injury, and incidence of hypertrophic scarring varied among the different treatments. An individualized management approach is recommended, with excisional biopsy as the preferred option when feasible.
Mandell
David L
DL
Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. david.mandell@chp.edu
Wald
Ellen R
ER
Michaels
Marian G
MG
Dohar
Joseph E
JE
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003475:Curettage; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017291:Clarithromycin