Diagnosis and treatment of cervical lymph node tuberculosis

  Tuberculosis of the cervical lymph nodes is most common in children and young people. The tubercle bacilli are mostly invaded through tonsils and dental caries, and nearly 5% are secondary to lung and bronchial lesions, and develop when the body’s resistance decreases.  Clinical manifestations: multiple enlarged lymph nodes of different sizes on one or both sides of the neck, initially the lymph nodes are hard and painless, when inflammation occurs, each lymph node may also adhere, fuse into a mass and become fixed, in the late stage, sinus tracts or ulcers may be formed, a few patients have systemic symptoms such as low fever, night sweats, loss of appetite and emaciation.  Diagnosis: Based on the history of tuberculosis contact and local signs, cold pustules or formed sinus tracts or chronic ulcers, the diagnosis can mostly be made clearly, and pathological examination of lymph nodes can also be performed in minor surgery to make a clear diagnosis.  Treatment: systemic treatment, anti-TB treatment, single or multiple anti-TB drugs for 6-12 months. For local treatment, surgical excision can be considered for a single case, and for sinus tracts or ulcers, necrotic tissue can be removed, drainage can be unblocked, and anti-tuberculosis drugs can be used for flushing.