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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients
Published on: October 25, 2024
[Mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis: role of surgery]
R Mani1, M Belcadhi, K Harrathi
1CHU Farhat Hached, Service ORL, 4000 Sousse, Tunisie. mani_radhouane@yahoo.fr
Objective:
To discuss the place of surgery in the management of mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis.
Patients And Methods:
It's a retrospective study (1982-2002) about 246 patients treated in the ENT department of Farhat Hached Sousse for cervical lymph node tuberculosis. Resolution was considered when neither symptoms nor lymphadenopathy in examination were noted.
Results:
The mean age of our patients was 28 years. A light female prevalence was noted. In 5 patients diagnosis was established by lymph node punction. A medical treatment of first intention was then managed with a failure in 3 cases, after deadlines from 3 to 4 months. All other patients were operated: cellulolymphadenectomy (47%), adenectomy (47%) or drainage of a cervical abscess (4%). Recurrence and antituberculosis treatment resistance were noted respectively in 6% and 3% of cases.
Discussion:
Two questions are still discussed in the management of mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis: 1- Is surgery necessary for the diagnosis? 2- When is surgery indicated directly? Histological specimen established the diagnosis in all cases and excluded a mestastatic lymph node. In some situations surgery must be indicated at first: cold abscess, lymph node fistulation.
Conclusion:
Surgery still has an important place in the treatment of tuberculosis lymphadenopathy.
