Pseudotumoral mycobacterial infection in the head and neck: a clinical study

The clinical aspects of mycobacterial infection of the head and neck are considered as presenting in patients at a cancer hospital over the last 15 years. Some difficulties in diagnosis with respect to the evolution of tuberculosis in this region are discussed. A total of 32 patients with evidence of infection were identified. Twenty-six of these with cervical lymphadenopathy are considered as a group; their clinical features and diagnosis are summarized and a note made of the recent change in the macroscopic quality of the nodes removed. Six cases are given particular attention: two with laryngeal tuberculosis, two with nasal or adenoidal infection and two with atypical mycobacterial infection diagnosed on clinical grounds.