Spectrum of cytomorphology of tuberculous lymphadenitis and changes during anti-tubercular treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the morphological changes in tuberculous lymph nodes and the clinical response during short course anti tubercular chemotherapy.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis under treatment were followed up clinically and cytologically at 0, 2, 4 and 6 months.


RESULTS
Twenty-six (72.2%) patients had palpable lymph nodes at the end of chemotherapy. Of the 14 patients with residual lymph nodes exceeding 1 cm in size, 92.8% (13) still had evidence of continuation of the disease. Acid-fast bacilli could be found in 38.8% patients at the end of 6 months. Intense lymphocytic infiltration of granulomata in the early phase of chemotherapy predicted a favourable outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Following completion of anti-tubercular treatment a significant percentage of patients have persistent lymphadenopathy and harbour the disease. Morphological follow up of these patients is essential as they may be at increased risk of relapse.
Sharma
M
M
Department of Pathology, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
Agarwal
S
S
Wadhwa
N
N
Mishra
K
K
Gadre
D J
DJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents