Related Experiment Videos
Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck
M G Stewart1, J R Starke, N J Coker
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.
Objective:
To review the treatment and outcome of patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck.
Design:
Retrospective examination of the medical records of patients treated by several surgeons during a 5-year period with a minimum 6-month follow-up.
Setting:
Large teaching children's hospital.
Patients:
Twenty-six children hospitalized for treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck.
Main Outcome Measures:
Resolution of infection, recurrence, and need for additional surgical intervention for cure.
Results:
Eleven patients initially were treated by incisional biopsy or incision and drainage procedures; eight patients developed recurrence or a draining sinus tract, necessitating a second surgical procedure. In contrast, 15 patients initially underwent complete excision; only one developed a recurrence (P < .01). Thus, eight (31%) of 26 patients required at least two surgical procedures owing to inadequate initial treatment.
Conclusions:
Excisional biopsy is both the diagnostic procedure and treatment of choice for nontuberculous mycobacterial adenitis.