[Acute lymphadenitis of the neck in children]

We report on 34 children with acute lymphadenitis of the neck at the age between 10 months to 12 years who were admitted in our Department of Otolaryngology Children Hospital in Warsaw between 2001-2003. In a retrospective study we evaluated clinical features and diagnostic impact of ultrasonography, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein as well as bacterial etiology of children treated surgically for bacterial cervical lymphadenitis. Leukocytosis and elevated concentrations of C-reactive protein occurred in the majority of patients in 32 children (94.12%). 24 children (70.59%) we treated conservatively. Clinical appearance and the result of ultrasound examination were relevant for diagnosis of suppurative inflammation. Treatment included antibiotic therapy in all cases and incision and drainage in 10 cases (29.4%). A positive culture grew in 20% of children treated surgically and of these isolates we found Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus species. In these cases surgical drainage is a key to appropriate resolution. USG diagnoses were retrospectively correlated with clinical and surgical findings or with the outcome of treatment in 87.5% of children.