[Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis--an up-to-date guideline for management]

For the past two decades the incidence of tuberculosis has been increasing, especially in developed countries. This is due to immigration from endemic countries, newly developed drug resistance, poor hygienic conditions for citizens of low socioeconomic status, and the spread of HIV-related immunodeficiency. Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. In relation to the patients' age and immunocompetence, it is caused by typical or atypical mycobacteria. Within a period of 2 1/2 years we have treated 6 patients for mycobacterial infections in our department. We present an up-to-date guideline for management based on this experience. It combines well established diagnostic management with new criteria of ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration and mycobacterial cultures.