Abstract

AIM: To analysis retrospectively the clinical and demographic characteristics of a small group of patients with lymph node tuberculosis (TB) in Turkey, and review the current diagnostic and therapeutic measures.
METHOD: Thirty-three patients (31 male, 2 female; mean age 24.9 ±5.4) diagnosed with lymph node TB between 2000 and 2003 were evaluated.
RESULTS: No patient had history of alcohol or drug abuse. Cervical region was the most common involvement site (84.8%). Non-tender swelling was the initial symptom in most of the cases (93.9%). The diagnosis was based on the excisional lymph node biopsy on 93% of cases. No patient was HIV (+). Antituberculous treatment was generally well tolerated.
CONCLUSION: This report suggests that TB remains an important etiologic factor for lymphadenitis in HIV negative patients. Lymph node TB responds to short term combined antituberculous treatment in most patients.

Key words: Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis, Lymph Node Tuberculosis, Lymph Node Enlargement

Article Language: Turkish English