BCG-SSI(®) vaccine-associated lymphadenitis: Incidence and management.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There is a high incidence of childhood tuberculosis in Latvia, including children aged less than 1 year, while BCG-associated lymphadenitis is one of the most frequent adverse events requiring surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of purulent BCG adenitis through-out the population of Latvia after the introduction of BCG-SSI(®) vaccine and to evaluate the treatment results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 194 patients. All patients had received the BCG-SSI(®) vaccine during the first week of life routinely or at a later time according to the indications. The indications for surgical treatment were lymph node destruction also affecting the skin. All patients in this study received surgical treatment - the affected lymph node extirpation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.12±0.96 months. A total of 172 patients had purulent axillar lymphadenitis, 14 had purulent supraclavicular lymphadenitis, 8 patients had lymphadenitis at both localizations. During the whole study period the incidence of BCG adenitis varied from 0.02% to 0.36%, while the mean rate was 0.11%±0.08% from 184,068 vaccinated children during the study period. We observed an increasing trend in the incidence of BCG lymphadenitis during the study period. The primary and complete healing rate at the end of period was 99.5% (n=193) following an affected lymph node extirpation. The mean hospitalization time after the operation was 3.71±0.18 days. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of BCG-SSI(®) vaccine associated purulent lymphadenitis varied widely with an increasing trend, followed by the return to the product characteristic limits. Indications for the surgical treatment should not be changed. Extirpation of the purulent BCG adenitis is a safe treatment method and leads to the primary wound healing in the majority of cases.

A case of abdominal tuberculosis lymphadenitis extending into the gallbladder and duodenum in a human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 carrier.

A 69-year-old man with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis presented with fever. He tested positive for the QuantiFERON TB-2G and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 antibodies. Imaging revealed a mass in the neck of the gallbladder, with periportal lymph node enlargement and penetration into the duodenum. A definite diagnosis could not be made, even with a subsequent detailed examination. Finally, cholecystectomy and a lymph node biopsy were performed. Histopathology revealed a caseating granuloma in the lymph nodes and in the serosa of the gallbladder, and polymerase chain reaction was positive for tuberculosis. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with abdominal tuberculosis lymphadenitis extending into the gallbladder and duodenum.

[Tuberculous lesion of retropharyngeal lymph nodes responsible for labored nasal breathing]. / Tuberkuleznoe porazhenie zaglotochnykh limfaticheskikh uzlov, vyzvavshee zatrudnenie nosovogo dykhaniya.

A 62 year-old patient applied for the medical aid with complaints of labored nasal breathing. She was treated for tuberculosis in the childhood, underwent radical mastectomy in connection with left breast cancer in 2007 and adenotomy at the age of 60 years with the good functional outcome. One year after adenotomy, the enlargement of lymph nodes at the left-hand antero-lateral surface of the neck was detected. The histological changes in the lymph nodes corresponded to the picture of tuberculosis. Pharyngoscopy demonstrated an asymmetric protrusion at the posterior wall of the pharynx more prominent on the left side. Examination by spiral computed tomography revealed the presence of two enlarged lymph nodes with the signs of suppurative melting in the retropharyngeal space. These lymph nodes were opened through the posterior pharyngeal wall which resulted in the restoration of the normal pharynx configuration and the normalization of nasal breathing.

TUBERCULOUS CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY AND THE ROLE OF SURGICAL TREATMENT.

The relationship between the size of a lymph node in tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy (TCL) cases and the role of surgery is unclear. We examined the outcomes in patients with TCL treated between October 2011 and November 2013 at the ENT Department, Hatyai Hospital. Ninety-seven patients were included in the study. The subjects were divided into five groups based on clinical presentation and anatomical site of the involved lymph nodes: 1) solitary lymph node (n = 36), 2) multiple lymph nodes at one anatomical site (n = 31), 3) lymph nodes at multiple anatomical sites (n = 16), 4) patients with lymph node abscesses (n = 12), and 5) patients with fistulas (n = 2). Of the 36 solitary lymph node cases, 14 had a lymph node ≥ 3 cm in diameter. Eight of the 14 had complete surgical excision of the node before receiving a full course of medication and all did well. Six of the 14 who were treated with drug therapy alone had problems: 2 progressed to abscess formation and 4 had residual enlargement of their lymph nodes that required surgery. The cure rates differed significantly by type of treatment (p < 0.001). Of the 47 cases with multiple cervical lymph nodes ≥ 3 cm in diameter, 13 were treated with medication alone; 9 (69%) did well and 4 developed an abscess and had residual lymphadenopathy. All 34 cases treated with modified neck dissection before a full course of medication were cured. The cure rates differed significantly by type of treatment (p = 0.004). These results suggest surgical treatment for all accessible lymph nodes ≥ 3 cm in diameter in patients with TCL prior to a full course of drug therapy significantly increases the cure rate compared to medication alone.

[Auriculomastoid incision for parotid surgery]. / Parotis cerrahisinde aurikülomastoid insizyon.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the treatment outcomes of benign parotid tumors operated through auriculomastoid incision (the authors defined incision as "ariculomastoid incision" in this study). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2008 and March 2012, 23 patients (15 females, 8 males; mean age 48.8 years; range 28 to 67 years) who underwent parotidectomy first at Bolu State Hospital, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic due to benign and mobile mass lesions in superficial lobe of parotid gland were retrospectively analyzed. Approximately a 5 cm incision starting at anterior to the tragus, extending along the ear lobule and ending at the mastoid apex was performed. Facial nerve traces were identified according to the anatomical landmarks. Pathological diagnoses, complications and follow-up results were recorded. RESULTS: Pathological diagnoses were pleomorphic adenoma in 15, Warthin tumor in six, branchial cleft cyst in one, and extrapulmonary lymph node tuberculosis in one patient. The main truncus and bifurcation of the facial nerve was identified at the lower level of the incision and in the direction of mandibular angle. Facial nerve was identified by following high calibration stylomastoid artery a few millimeters inferomedialy in 16 patients. Incision was extended in three patients due to an inferior mass located. No local recurrence occurred during at a mean follow-up of 28 months (range; 6-48 months). Three patients developed transient, partial facial paralysis, which recovered completely within two months. Two patients had salivary fistulas, which recovered by compression dressing within three weeks. CONCLUSION: Auriculomastoid incision can be applied safely in the treatment of mobile, benign parotid tumors localized in the superficial lobe with a low rate of postoperative complication.

Tuberculous lymphadenitis as a cause of obstructive jaundice.

Obstructive jaundice secondary to abdominal tuberculosis is extremely rare. We present a patient with jaundice secondary to compression of the common bile duct by TB lymphadenitis. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our department for nausea,epigastric pain and jaundice. Abdominal ultrasonography and computer tomography scan were suggestive of stenosis of the distal common bile duct caused by a retro pancreatic mass. At laparotomy, an enlarged lymph node behind the head of the pancreas was found, causing compression and stenosis of the distal parts of the choledochus. The lymph node frozen section analysis showed epithelioid granuloma with caseous necrosis,strongly suggesting tuberculous origin. Choledochoduodenal anastomosis was performed. Definitive pathohistological examination confirmed TB lymphadenitis. ATB should be considered as a potential cause of jaundice especially in immuno compromised patients and endemic areas. Diagnosing abdominal tuberculosis can be a challenging task. No satisfactory diagnostic gold standard is available so that in most cases the diagnosis cannot be reached before exploratory laparotomy.Early detection enables successful conservative treatment and eliminates the necessity of surgery.

Management of lymphadenitis due to non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection in children.

PURPOSE: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is an important cause of cervico-facial lymph node enlargement in young children. The optimal treatment is thought to be early complete excision without chemotherapy. We compared management of patients referred to our centre to this "gold standard" and determined clinical outcomes by type of primary surgical intervention (complete excision vs. incomplete excision). METHODS: Retrospective study of management and clinical outcomes of all children (<12 years) with NTM lymphadenitis referred to a single UK centre between May 1998 and May 2008. RESULTS: We identified 43 children. Median time from onset of swelling to operation was 6 weeks. Management was: no operation (n = 1, 2 %), complete excision (n = 20, 47 %), incision and drainage (n = 17, 40 %) and fine needle aspirate (n = 5, 12 %). Children not treated by primary complete excision were more likely to have: re-operation (91 vs. 30 %; χ(2) = 16.48; p < 0.0001); persistent lymphadenitis (77 vs. 30 %; χ(2) = 9.45; p = 0.002); sinus formation (26 vs. 5 %; χ2 = 3.74; p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Failure to undertake primary complete excision leads to further morbidity. A high index of suspicion is required for timely appropriate management to avoid unnecessary morbidity and further intervention.

[The symptoms and surgical tactics for complicated forms of the abdominal cavity tuberculosis].

The results of treatment of 12 patients, suffering complicated forms of abdominal tuberculosis and external intestinal fistulas, were presented. Late diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis in the patients, suffering the complications phase of the disease, is caused by unclear symptoms presence in early stages of the disease. Clinical and laboratory indices in peritonitis of a phthisis origin are nonspeciphic. In 91% of patients, admitted to the hospital for complicated forms of abdominal tuberculosis and external intestinal fistulas, the operative treatment was indicated. Surgical intervention (more frequently right-sided hemicolectomy, enterostomy, the abscesses opening, the caseously-changed lymph nodes excision, formation of anastomosis) was performed in 11 patients for peritonitis and external intestinal fistulas. The method of a secure invagination anastomoses formation was elaborated, permitting to perform primary restoration operations. An early diagnosis, early effective therapy and radical surgical intervention conduction for complicated abdominal tuberculosis promote the patients to survive.

From Microcytosis to Macrodiagnosis.

A 12-year-old Hispanic girl presented with fatigue, lightheadedness, and intermittent headaches. She was depressed and appeared pale to her mother. Her examination was unremarkable except for palpebral conjunctival pallor and was otherwise noncontributory. She had a profound hypoproliferative microcytic anemia with low iron level, low transferrin saturation, and a normal ferritin level. The patient experienced improvement in clinical symptoms following transfusion of packed red blood cells and oral iron therapy. At follow-up 2 months later, she presented with similar symptoms and persistent microcytic anemia with low iron levels. Her ferritin level was increased along with markedly elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. An oral iron challenge demonstrated lack of absorption, and hepcidin level was also significantly elevated. Thorough gastrointestinal and rheumatologic evaluations were performed to search for a source of inflammation. Key components of the patient's social history supplemented by serology, radiographic, and pathologic findings ultimately cinched an unexpected diagnosis.

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound guidance in core-needle biopsy for diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic value of core-needle biopsy (CNB) guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTL). METHODS: 178 patients with pathological confirmation of CTL were retrospectively enrolled. All of them had undergone CNB prior to the final surgery. According to the different ways of puncture guidance, they were divided into two groups: conventional ultrasound (US) group (n = 81) and CEUS group (n = 97). The comparison of diagnostic efficacy between two groups was compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 178 patients, 146 were directly diagnosed as CTL by CNB, including 59 patients in CEUS group and 87 patients in US group. The diagnostic accuracy were 89.7% (87/97) and 72.8% (59/81), respectively (P < 0.01). For subgroup analyses, differences among diagnostic efficacy ascribed to the different guiding methods were significant in medium size group (>2.0 cm and ≤3.0 cm) and large size group (>3.0 cm), 91.7% for CEUS group vs. 69.0% for US group (P < 0.05) and 84.4% for CEUS group vs. 57.7% for US group (P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the diagnosis of CTL, compared with the US-guided CNB, CEUS-guided CNB have certain advantages, especially for larger lymph nodes.

[Surgery for tuberculosis--a ten-year experience].

We reviewed our institutional experience of surgical cases of tuberculosis in the last decade. There were 42 surgical cases, including 26 cases of tuberculoma, 5 cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis, 4 cases of tracheobronchial tuberculosis, and 7 cases of tuberculous empyema. The most aim of the surgery for tuberculoma and lymphadenitis were to make differential diagnosis from malignant neoplasm. Sleeve resection was done in 3 cases of tracheobronchial tuberculosis and Montgomery T-tube placement was underwent for a case of tracheal stenosis. Radical surgery was indicated for 4 cases of empyema and open window thoracostomy for 3 cases. There was no major complication and operation-related death. The surgical indication for tuberculosis is very limited nowadays because of effective chemotherapy, however, surgery is still relevant in selected small groups of tuberculosis patients. Exchanging more information and alliance among physicians and thoracic surgeons will become more important for better tuberculosis treatment.

[Cervical lymph node tuberculosis: diagnosis and treatment]. / Tuberculose lymphonodale cervicale: prise en charge diagnostique et thérapeutique.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages of surgery for diagnosis and treatment of cervical lymph node tuberculosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study from 1st January 1998 to 31st December 2007 including 30 patients with cervical lymph node tuberculosis. The population included 60% autochthones with a mean age of 47.1 years and a female predominance (73.33%). RESULTS: The lymph nodes were most often supraclavicular, unilateral, firm, and a mean 3 cm at its largest span. Lymph nodes were excised for diagnosis in 22 patients, which demonstrated specific granulomatous and giant cell lesions with caseous necrosis in 21 patients out of 22. Five abscessed adenopathies required surgical drainage, and three cases required repeated lymph node cleaning after well-conducted medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Surgery retains an important place in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical lymph node tuberculosis.

[Infraorbitally located tuberculous lypmhadenitis: a case report]. / Infraorbital yerlesimli tüberküloz lenfadenit: Olgu sunumu.

Tuberculosis, which is one of the oldest diseases of the human kind, is again becoming an important health issue in recent years. Although mostly seen in lungs, it can also be localized in the lymph nodes, skin, meninges, spleen, surrenal tissues, which is referred to as extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common clinical form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and it is generally localized in cervical lymph nodes. A 50-year-old female patient presented with a hard fixed mass originating from medial canthus ending at nasolabial sulcus. In the magnetic resonance imaging examination, a solid contrast enhancing mass 20 x 18 x 15 mm in size, which was isointensely monitored with muscular structures in T1 based visuals and hyperintense in T2 sequences, was seen. The mass was excised under general anesthesia and histopathological examination revealed tuberculous lymphadenitis. Thus, the case is discussed according to literature and shows us that tuberculosis may be the reason for lymphadenitis in the areas out of the cervical region and it should always be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided laser ablation for the treatment of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided laser ablation (LA) for the treatment of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTBL). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 11 patients with CTBL (mean age, 32.0 ± 8.6 years; range, 18-47 years) who underwent percutaneous US-guided LA from June 2014 to December 2016 with a subsequent 12-month follow-up. We assessed the mean volume reduction and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) changes of the target lymph nodes as well as the tolerability and adverse effects of LA. RESULTS: The mean ablation energy was 522 ± 312 J (range, 204-1317 J). All 17 enrolled target lymph nodes were completely non-enhanced after LA treatment as detected by CEUS, indicating complete ablation of all lymph nodes (100%). The target lymph nodes significantly decreased in volume by a mean of 74.0% ± 15.6% from baseline to 12 months after LA. The LA procedure was well tolerated, and none of the 11 patients developed severe complications during the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous US-guided LA for the treatment of CTBL exhibits good tolerability, minimal invasiveness, and few adverse effects. Further investigations with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to confirm these findings.

Severe paradoxical reaction requiring tracheostomy in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patient with cervical lymph node tuberculosis.

During drug treatment of tuberculous lymphadenitis, paradoxical response (PR) may occasionally occur. Continued treatment or lymph node aspiration improves PR without severe sequelae. However, we report a case of severe PR in a patient with cervical lymph node tuberculosis causing airway obstruction due to retropharyngeal lymph node swelling during antituberculous treatment. Tracheostomy and drainage of the node were performed to secure the airway. Possible airway obstruction due to PR must be suspected when cervical lymph node tuberculosis involves the retropharyngeal lymph node.

[Intestinal tuberculosis of the terminal ileum causing obstructive ileus and tuberculous peritonitis and presenting numerous peritoneal small red nodules: a case report].

A 38-year-old woman suffering from lower abdominal pain was referred to our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography showed marked thickening of the terminal ileum to the cecum, localized collection of ascites, and multiple mesenteric lymphadenopathy. A barium contrast small bowel series showed solitary severe stenosis of the terminal ileum with marked swelling of the ileocecal valve, where colonoscopy could not pass through, suggesting that ileal stenosis was caused by intestinal tuberculosis. She also showed strongly positive tuberculin skin test. Laparoscopy-assisted ileocecal resection was performed for confirmation of diagnosis and removal of the stenotic intestinal lesion. Laparoscopically, numerous small red nodules scattered on the stenotic ileal serosa, peritoneum, and mesenterium. Histopathological examination revealed ileal tuberculosis causing ulcerative stricture, and mesenteric tuberculous lymphadenitis. The small red nodules were formed of hemorrhagic tuberculous nodules.

[Tuberculosis of intrathoracic lymph nodes in children and adolescents: diagnosis and surgical treatment].

A hundred and seven children and adolescents with intrathoracic lymph node (LTLN) tuberculosis were operated on. Late diagnosis and long-term ineffective antituberculous therapy lead to the development of complicated forms of ITLN tuberculosis in 44% of children. Computed tomography significantly determines extent, localization, the state of the adjacent tissue, and the phase of a tuberculous process, evaluates the efficiency of antituberculosis therapy, and ascertains the optimum time of a surgical intervention. Surgical removal of the involved ITLN is a highly effective operation causing the minimum number of complications. Bilateral successive one-stage removal of the involved lymph nodes is possible in children with bilateral ITLN tuberculosis.

[Suboccipital tuberculosis: the clinical and radiation and potentialities of current surgical treatment].

The clinical and radiological manifestations of suboccipital tuberculosis have been analyzed in 7 patients aged 7 to 35 years. A case of this condition accompanied by extensive vertebral destruction, abscesses, and basilar impression is described in a 7.5-year-old child. A radical stabilizing operation was successfully performed using the currently available technologies.

High IL-6 and VEGF-A levels correlate with delayed wound healing in cervical lymph node tuberculosis patients.

SETTING: A high proportion of tuberculosis (TB) patients experience delayed wound healing after surgery, and the specific reasons for this phenomenon are not yet clear. OBJECTIVE: To analyse cytokine and growth factors at surgical sites to determine their contribution to delayed wound healing in patients with cervical lymph node TB (CLNT). DESIGN: We measured levels of interleukin (IL) 1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-22, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in cervical wound drainage fluid from 36 CLNT patients who underwent lymphadenectomy and in 24 thyroidectomy patients. RESULTS: Wound drainage fluid from CLNT patients showed higher IL-6 (P = 0.007) and VEGF-A (P < 0.001) levels than control thyroidectomy patients (P < 0.05). CLNT patients with a delayed healing time (>5 days; n = 18) showed higher IL-6 (P = 0.002) and VEGF-A (P < 0.001) levels in wound drainage fluid than CLNT patients with normal healing times (5 days; n = 18). IL-6 (OR 11.280, 95%CI 1.413-90.028; P = 0.022) and VEGF-A (OR 13.510, 95%CI 2.168-84.182; P = 0.005) can independently and significantly predict wound healing time in CLNT patients. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that high IL-6 and VEGF-A levels in the post-operative wound fluid of CLNT patients correlate with delayed wound healing.

Surgical excision versus antibiotic treatment for nontuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis in children: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of nontuberculosis mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis in children has not been established. Until recently, surgical excision was the standard treatment, but the number of reports of successful antibiotic treatment is increasing, which questions whether surgery is the preferred treatment. In this randomized, multicenter trial, we compared surgical excision with antibiotic treatment. METHODS: One hundred children with microbiologically proven nontuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis were randomly assigned to undergo surgical excision of the involved lymph nodes or to receive antibiotic therapy with clarithromycin and rifabutin for at least 12 weeks. The primary end point was cure, defined as regression of the lymph node enlargement by at least 75%, with cure of the fistula and total skin closure without local recurrence or de novo lesions after 6 months, as assessed by clinical and ultrasound evaluation. Secondary end points included complications of surgery and adverse effects of antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed that surgical excision was more effective than antibiotic therapy (cure rates, 96% and 66%, respectively; 95% confidence interval for the difference, 16%-44%). Treatment failures were explained neither by noncompliance nor by baseline or acquired in vitro resistance to clarithromycin or rifabutin. Surgical complications were seen in 14 (28%) of 50 patients; staphylococcal wound infection occurred in 6 patients, and a permanent grade 2 facial marginal branch dysfunction occurred in 1 patient. The vast majority of patients who were allocated to antibiotic therapy reported adverse effects (39 [78%] of 50 patients), including 4 patients who had to discontinue treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical excision is more effective than antibiotic treatment for children with nontuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis.