Tuberculous Cervical Lymphadenitis: Diagnosis and Treatment Outcomes

Aim: To examine the frequency of tuberculosis lymphadenitis by fine needle aspiration biopsy and histopathology in patients with cervical lymphadenitis also determine the treatment outcomes of anti-tuberculosis therapy in patients diagnosed to have tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis. Study Design: Prospective/Observational Place and Duration: Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Diagnostic Radiology Civil Hospital Quetta and Yaseen Hospital Quetta from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019. Methods: Sixty patients of both genders with ages 5 to 65 years presented with cervical lymphadenitis were enrolled in this study. Patient's detailed demographic including age, sex, and clinical presentations were recorded. All patients underwent ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy and excisional biopsy to examine the tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis. Patients with positive tuberculosis lymphadenitis were received standard anti-tuberculosis therapy. Treatment outcomes such as cured, died and lost to follow-up was examined. Follow-up was taken at 9 months. Results: Thirty two (53.33%) were males while 28 (46.67%) were females. Majority 25 (41.67%) patients were ages 21 to 35 years followed by 16 (26.67%) with ages 36 to 50 years. Neck swelling was found in 60 (100%) patients followed by weight loss and fever in 38 (63.33%) and 24 (40%) patients. 36 (60%) patients had tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis while 24 (40%) had other causes of cervical lymphadenitis by ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration. Among 36 tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis patients 28 (77.78%) were females while 8 (22.22%) were males and mean age of patients was 37.46 +/- 11.28 years. From all tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis patients 30 (83.33%) patients were cured, 3 (8.33%) were died and 3 (8.33%) were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: The frequency of tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis is very high among cervical lymphadenitis patients. Ultrasound guided FNA biopsy plays an important role for the diagnosis and management of this malignant disease.