[Tuberculosis of the cervical lymph nodes]

Clinical observations and experiences in the treatment of 52 patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis are presented during the period of 15 yrs. In all patients the diagnosis was confirmed by pathohistological analysis of extirpated lymph nodes. In 88% of patients the caseous necrosis form of tuberculosis was histologically verified while in 12% the productive one. In 87% of patients the tuberculous process was localised unilaterally and in 13% bilaterally. Deep lymph nodes were more frequently involved than those on the surface (58%:42%). Most of the patients were in the third, fourth and fifth decade of life. Female patients were more frequent than males (58%:42%). In all patients the chemotherapy with antituberculous drugs was administered. In 42% patients tonsilectomy was performed with or without adenoidectomy depending on age of the patient. Pathohistologically tuberculosis of the tonsillae was found only in 3 cases.