Tuberculous lymphadenitis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Tuberculous lymphadenitis
Synonyms	Scrofula
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss
Complications	Abscess, fistula
Onset	Gradual
Duration	Weeks to months
Types	N/A
Causes	Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Risks	HIV/AIDS, immunosuppression, malnutrition
Diagnosis	Tuberculin skin test, Interferon gamma release assay, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Lymphoma, cat-scratch disease, sarcoidosis
Prevention	BCG vaccine, tuberculosis control
Treatment	Antitubercular therapy
Medication	Isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common in developing countries
Deaths	N/A

A form of tuberculosis affecting the lymph nodes

Tuberculous lymphadenitis, also known as tubercular adenitis, is a form of tuberculosis that affects the lymph nodes. It is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Signs and symptoms

The primary symptom of tuberculous lymphadenitis is the swelling of the lymph nodes, particularly in the neck region, known as cervical lymphadenopathy. The affected lymph nodes may become matted and can form a sinus tract, leading to the discharge of pus. Other symptoms may include fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.

Causes

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The infection typically spreads from a primary site, such as the lungs, to the lymph nodes through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. Fine needle aspiration or excisional biopsy of the lymph node may be performed to obtain samples for histopathology and culture. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can also be used to detect the presence of M. tuberculosis DNA.

Treatment

The treatment of tuberculous lymphadenitis involves a course of antitubercular therapy (ATT), which typically includes a combination of drugs such as isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. The duration of treatment is usually six months, but it may be extended in certain cases.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for tuberculous lymphadenitis is generally good. However, untreated or inadequately treated cases can lead to complications such as the formation of abscesses or sinus tracts.

Epidemiology

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is more prevalent in regions with high rates of tuberculosis, such as parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It is also more common in individuals with HIV/AIDS due to their compromised immune systems.

See also

• Tuberculosis
• Extrapulmonary tuberculosis
• Lymphadenopathy