Noncervicofacial atypical mycobacterial lymphadenitis in childhood

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Atypical mycobacterial (AM) lymphadenitis is common in children but rarely occurs outside the cervicofacial region. The authors report their experience in the diagnosis and management of noncervicofacial AM lymphadenitis. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of cases diagnosed at our institution between January 1976 and December 1999, based on positive culture of atypical mycobacteria or consistent histology with supportive skin testing. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were identified over the 23-year review period. The median age was 4.3 years (range, 8 months to 13 years and 5 months), with 19 boys and 17 girls. The median duration of symptoms was 4 weeks, and the most commonly affected sites were the inguinal region (n = 17), axilla (n = 8), and lower limb (n = 6). Preceding local trauma was described in 10 patients and a viral illness in 4. Laboratory culture for atypical mycobacteria was positive in 22, and skin testing suggestive in 21 and equivocal in 2. Treatment was by excision in 28 and drainage with or without curettage in 9. At a median follow-up of 19.7 months, disease had recurred in 4 patients, none of whom had been treated initially by excision. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical mycobacterial infection is an uncommon cause of noncervicofacial lymphadenitis in children. It typically presents with a 4-week history of painless regional lymphadenopathy that may follow penetrating trauma. If untreated, the overlying skin becomes involved with a violaceous discoloration, and ulceration may occur. Definitive treatment involves complete surgical excision, preferably before suppuration extending beyond the involved lymph nodes.     

Tuberculous lymphadenitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

The aim of this study was to review the clinical features of tuberculous (TB) lymphadenitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Nine cases of TB lymphadenitis were diagnosed among 910 patients over a period of 10 years. There were five men and four women with a mean age of 51 ± 15.5 years. The TB lymphadenitis involved the cervical lymph nodes in six patients, supraclavicular lymph nodes in two patients and mediastinal lymph nodes in one patient. Six patients presented with clinically enlarged lymph nodes of whom four also had fever. Three other patients were incidentally found to have enlarged lymph nodes on routine chest X-ray or ultrasound examination of the neck. Diagnosis of TB lymphadenitis was made by demonstrating caseating granulomata with or without positive acid-fast bacilli on excisional lymph node biopsy. All patients were cured with standard anti-tuberculosis drugs for 12 months. No recurrence of the TB lymphadenitis was observed after a mean follow-up of 59 ± 30 months. We conclude that TB lymphadenitis is not uncommon among patients on CAPD. A high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis of this condition. Prompt initiation of anti-tuberculosis treatment is associated with good prognosis.     

Diagnosis and management of atypical mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children

One hundred and thirty children with superficial atypical mycobacterial lymphadenitis have been treated between 1958 and 1974. The introduction of Double Mantoux testing has provided a reliable means of differentiating human and bovine from atypical infection and has enabled us to cease the routine use of antituberculous drugs. Adequate local surgical excision has become the treatment of choice.     

Generation of cytolytic T cells in individuals infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and vaccinated with BCG.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage activation by cytokines provides only a partial explanation of antimycobacterial immunity in man. Because cytolytic T lymphocytes have been shown to contribute to immunity in animal models of intracellular infection, the generation of mycobacterial antigen specific cytotoxic T cells was examined in the peripheral blood of patients with tuberculosis. METHODS: Subjects comprised 36 patients with active tuberculosis (18 newly diagnosed) and 32 healthy volunteers, of whom 25 had had BCG vaccination and seven were Mantoux negative. The ability of purified protein derivative (PPD) stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes to lyse autologous, mycobacterial antigen bearing macrophages was examined by using a chromium 51 release assay. RESULTS: PPD stimulated lymphocytes from normal, Mantoux positive, BCG vaccinated subjects produced high levels of PPD specific cytolysis, whereas lymphocytes from unvaccinated, uninfected subjects caused little or no cytolysis. The generation of cytolytic T lymphocytes by patients with tuberculosis was related to their clinical state. Those with cavitating pulmonary disease or lymph node tuberculosis generated PPD specific lymphocytes with cytotoxic ability similar to that of those from Mantoux positive control subjects, whereas lymphocytes from patients with non-cavitating pulmonary infiltrates showed poor antigen specific cytolysis. After seven days of stimulation with PPD in vitro, lymphoblasts contained both CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Mycobacterial antigen specific cytolysis was restricted to the CD4+ cell population and was blocked by monoclonal antibodies directed against major histocompatibility class II (MHC) antigens. CONCLUSION: CD4+ cytolytic T cells can lyse autologous macrophages presenting mycobacterial antigen and were found in patients with cavitating pulmonary tuberculosis or tuberculous lymphadenitis and in normal, Mantoux positive control subjects. The ability to generate these T cell responses seems to be a marker for response to mycobacteria and may contribute to tissue damage in tuberculosis. These responses do not provide protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis but may help in disease localisation.     

Peripheral lymph node tuberculosis: a review of 80 cases

One hundred and ninety-two patients with peripheral lymphadenopathy were screened and 80 patients with tubercular lymphadenitis were studied. Their ages ranged from 1 to 65 years; most were younger than 30 years and there was a slight female preponderance (1.2:1). Seventy per cent of patients were of low socioeconomic status. Of the 80 patients, 56 had affected cervical nodes, seven had inguinal nodes, five had axillary nodes and 12 had multiple sites of lymph node involvement. All had enlarged nodes which were matted in 44 cases and discrete in 18 cases, while the rest had either an abscess or a discharging sinus. Fifty-nine cases (74 per cent) showed a positive Mantoux test and four cases (5 per cent) had associated pulmonary tuberculosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology gave a positive diagnosis in 66 cases (83 per cent). Fifty-two cases showed a positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis of human type in Lowenstein-Jensen medium. Short-term chemotherapy (9 months) consisting of rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol gave an excellent result. Surgery was not required in any of the cases.     

PCR diagnosis on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues with acid-fast stain and culture negativity in chronic dialysis patients of cervico-mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis

Background: Bacteriologic studies often provide negative results in tuberculous infection, and do not favour early diagnosis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is known to diagnose tuberculosis quickly. With this in mind, we used PCR to detect mycobacterial DNA on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues with acid-fast stain and culture negativity in two dialysis patients with cervico-mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Methods: Sections of neck lymph nodes were cut at two different levels. At each level, two semi-adjacent sections with a thickness of 5 &mgr;m each were cut using standard microtomes with disposable blades. The first section mounted on a glass slide was stained b Ziehl-Neelsen, and the second section was examined by PCR based on a 123 bp fragment of IS6110 that is specific for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Results: The histology of lymph nodes disclosed inflammatory necrotizing granulomas, but acid-fast stain for M. tuberculosis was negative in the two patients. DNA of M. tuberculosis was detected in lymph node samples from each patient by PCR on the IS6110 element and by dot-blot hybridization. Conclusions: PCR assay is a potentially useful approach for early and rapid diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis in chronic dialysis patients, since mycobacterial staining and culture often provide negative results.     

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ATYPICAL MYCOBACTERIAL CERVICOFACIAL ADENITIS IN CHILDREN

Background : Atypical mycobacteria have long been recognized as a cause of cervicofacial adenitis in otherwise healthy children. The disease is nearly always localized but if left untreated the involved lymph nodes caseate and discharge. The management of this condition has been considered to be surgical with techniques including aspiration, incision and drainage, curettage and excision. Methods : Cases of atypical mycobacterial cervicofacial adenitis treated by curettage at the Canberra Hospital, ACT, Australia, are reviewed. Results : Ten cases successfully treated with curettage are reported. Two patients experienced delayed healing of their wounds and one required a second curettage 7 months after primary excision for recurrent disease. Conclusion : Curettage is a safe and effective means of treating atypical mycobacterial cervicofacial adenitis in children. The primary cure rate of 70% is less than that for excision of the involved nodes (92% cure rate), which is the standard treatment for this disease.     

Surgical treatment of atypical mycobacterial cervicofacial adenitis in children.

BACKGROUND: Atypical mycobacteria have long been recognized as a cause of cervicofacial adenitis in otherwise healthy children. The disease is nearly always localized but if left untreated the involved lymph nodes caseate and discharge. The management of this condition has been considered to be surgical with techniques including aspiration, incision and drainage, curettage and excision. METHODS: Cases of atypical mycobacterial cervicofacial adenitis treated by curettage at the Canberra Hospital, ACT, Australia, are reviewed. RESULTS: Ten cases successfully treated with curettage are reported. Two patients experienced delayed healing of their wounds and one required a second curettage 7 months after primary excision for recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: Curettage is a safe and effective means of treating atypical mycobacterial cervicofacial adenitis in children. The primary cure rate of 70% is less than that for excision of the involved nodes (92% cure rate), which is the standard treatment for this disease.     

Die chirurgische Behandlung des Narbencarcinoms – Methoden und Ergebnisse

INTRODUCTION: The prognosis of scar carcinoma, also known as Marjolin's ulcer, is poor. Metastases of lymph nodes often appear because of late diagnosis and the underestimation of clinical findings. This has a deep impact on the quality of life of the patients. Scar carcinoma often occurs in burn scars, but also in chronic ulcers of the lower extremities and in chronic pressure sores. METHODS: Between 1994 and 1998 12 patients with scar carcinoma were treated at our hospital. In all cases radical surgery of the entire scar area was undertaken, followed by dissection of the draining lymph nodes. Free flaps, pendicular flaps or splint skin grafts were used to cover the resulting defects. RESULTS: In 16.6% we observed positive lymph nodes. There were two cases of local recurrence. Five patients died during the observation time. In one patient the extremity had to be amputated. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and radical excision are requirements, and the quality of life can be improved with plastic surgery. Aftercare and yearly staging measures are mandatory.     

Tuberculous and nontuberculous cervical lymphadenitis: a clinical review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to identify differences in clinical characteristics between patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis and those with nontuberculous cervical lymphadenitis and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Seventy-two patients with inflammatory cervical lymphadenitis were studied retrospectively. They were divided into 2 groups: group 1 consisted of those with tuberculous lymphadenitis and group 2 consisted of those with non-tuberculous lymphadenitis. The demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, and hematological and cytological results of the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: Other than there being a significantly higher proportion of foreign-born patients in group 1, there were no differences in clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. The sensitivity and specificity of FNA cytology in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis were 88% and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to clinically differentiate tuberculous from nontuberculous lymphadenitis. FNA cytology is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis. SIGNIFICANCE: In regions where tuberculosis is endemic, treatment can be instituted without the need for excisional biopsy if the FNA results show characteristic caseating granuloma.     

自体脂肪注射后脓肿分枝杆菌感染处理的方案探讨

目的探讨自体脂肪注射术后面部、胸部多发性脓肿分枝杆菌感染的处理方法。方法2018年6—9月,暨南大学附属第一医院整形外科对面部及胸部自体脂肪注射术后脓肿分枝杆菌感染女性患者6例(年龄23~29岁,平均25.2岁)进行治疗,均采用术前超声定位,术中小切口开放清创,彻底刮除坏死肉芽组织,窦道内持续负压吸引治疗促进肉芽生长,并配合规范抗结核药物抗菌治疗。结果6例患者14个部位经30~60 d住院治疗,6~12个月院外规律用药,伤口均痊愈;面部组织无严重缺损,保持正常面部外观。随访12个月,病灶无复发。结论小切口清创加负压吸引治疗,并联合多种抗结核药物治疗的方法可治愈自体脂肪注射术后脓肿分枝杆菌感染。     

Sternal wound tuberculosis following cardiac operations: a review

Objective

The diagnosis and treatment of sternal wound infections with mycobacteria are challenging. Such an infection is often associated with a delayed diagnosis and improper treatment that may lead to a worsened clinical outcome. The present study is designed to highlight its clinical features so as to facilitate a prompt diagnosis and timely treatment.

Methods

MEDLINE, Highwire Press, and Google search engine were searched for publications in the English language, with no time limit, reporting on sternal wound infection caused by tuberculosis after cardiac surgery.

Results

A total of 12 articles reporting on 14 patients were included in this study. Coronary artery bypass grafting was the underlying surgical procedure in more than half of the cases. Purulent discharge and cold abscess were the two main presenting symptoms. Diagnosis of sternal wound infection was evidenced in all 14 patients by different investigations, with culture of samples being the most sensitive method of identifying the pathogen. Good response to first-line anti-tuberculous agents was noted. Almost all patients required surgical debridement/resection and, sometimes, sternal reconstruction. A delayed diagnosis of sternal wound infection may lead to repeated recurrences. A comparison between patients with sternal wound infection due to tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections showed that the former infections took an even longer period of time. Comparisons also revealed patients with sternal tuberculosis infection had a significantly higher mortality than patients with sternal non-tuberculous infection (29.2% vs. 0%, P=0.051).

Conclusion

Sternal infection caused by tuberculosis after cardiac surgery has a longer latency, better response to first-line drugs, and better outcomes in comparison with non-tuberculous sternal infection. Early diagnosis and early anti-tuberculous treatment can surely improve the patients'' prognosis.     

Detection of occult metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis using a dynamic sentinel node procedure

PURPOSE: We evaluated the so-called dynamic sentinel node procedure in patients with penile cancer. This new staging technique consists of excisional biopsy of the first lymph node onto which a tumor drains the so-called sentinel node, based on individual mapping of lymphatic drainage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1994 to 1998, 55 consecutive patients with stage T2 or greater bilateral or unilateral node negative squamous cell carcinoma of the penis were prospectively entered in this study. Tumor stage was T2N0 in 42, T2N1 in 4 and T3N0 in 9 cases. To locate the sentinel node each patient underwent lymphoscintigraphy with 99mtechnetium nanocolloid injected intradermally around the tumor. The following day the sentinel node was identified intraoperatively using patent blue dye injected intradermally around the tumor and a gamma detection probe. Regional lymph node dissection was restricted to patients with a tumor positive sentinel node only. RESULTS: Scintigraphy revealed 125 sentinel nodes in 107 inguinal regions, including no sentinel node in 2 patients, 1 or more unilateral nodes in 10 and bilateral drainage in 43. At surgery 108 sentinel nodes were removed. In 8 patients with 2 or more sentinel nodes on lymphoscintigraphy only 1 was noted intraoperatively and in 9 an additional sentinel node was removed, which was not identified by scintigraphy. All nodes were identified with the gamma detection probe. In 1 patient a wound abscess developed. Regional lymph node dissection was performed in 11 patients with sentinel node metastasis. Median followup was 22 months (range 4.1 to 61). In 1 patient lymph node metastasis was noted at followup despite prior excision of a tumor-free sentinel node. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic sentinel node procedure is a promising staging technique to detect early metastatic dissemination of penile cancer based on individual mapping of lymphatic drainage, and enables identification of patients with clinically node negative disease requiring regional lymph node dissection.     

Identification of HIV patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis using urine based polymerase chain reaction assay

BACKGROUND: Despite the increased dissemination of tuberculosis among HIV infected patients, the diagnosis is difficult to establish. Traditional microbiological methods lack satisfactory sensitivity. We have developed a highly sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) capable of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in urine specimens and have used this test to examine urine specimens from HIV patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: Urine specimens from 13 HIV infected patients with microbiologically proven active pulmonary tuberculosis, 10 AIDS patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (documented by blood culture), 53 AIDS patients with no evidence of mycobacterial disease, and 80 healthy subjects (25 with positive skin test to purified protein derivative) were tested for M tuberculosis using PCR, acid fast staining (AFS), and culture. RESULTS: Of the urine specimens from patients with active tuberculosis, all tested positive by PCR, two by culture, and none by AFS. No reactivity was observed in urine specimens from patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. Of the 53 AIDS patients without mycobacterial infection, one had a positive urine PCR. Normal subjects were all negative. CONCLUSIONS: Urine based nested PCR for M tuberculosis may be a useful test for identifying HIV patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy

Fine needle aspiration biopsies of 42 histologically confirmed tuberculous cervical lesions were studied. Thirty-four patients had subsequent excision of cervical lymph nodes and eight had incision and drainage of cervical abscesses. All aspirates except two (which were inadequate) were satisfactory for diagnosis and contained inflammatory cells. Twenty-seven smears revealed cells typical of granulomatous lymphadenopathy, that is, epithelioid and multinucleated giant cells. Of all aspirates, 17 smears had bacteriological staining by Ziehl-Nielsen technique, nine of which (53%) were positive for acid-fast bacilli. An aspiration biopsy diagnosis of granulomatous or tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy was made in 30 patients (71%). In regions where mycobacterial infection is common, the presence of granulomatous changes in lymph node aspirates is highly suggestive of tuberculosis. When the aspirates contain purulent material or when tuberculosis is suspected, staining and culture for mycobacteria should be performed. FNA biopsy is a sensitive, specific and cost-effective way to diagnose tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy and is recommended.     

A survey of hospital management practices for vulvar melanoma

Background: Vulvar melanoma is a very rare form of cancer. The purpose of this study was to describe practice patterns for the management of vulvar melanoma.

Study Design: The National Cancer Data Base was reviewed from 1985 through 1994 for patient reports submitted with a diagnosis of vulvar melanoma.

Results: Five hundred sixty-nine patients with vulvar melanoma were identified. A substantial number of patients were older; during the latter period of this study (1990 to 1994), 50% were 70 years old or older. Surgery was used in more than 90% of patients with stages 0 to III. Local excision was used mainly in early-stage (0 and I) disease. Adjuvant therapy was used infrequently. Lymph node evaluation was performed in more than half of the patients, with greater frequency for patients who had advanced disease. The overall 5-year relative survival rate was 62%. If the lymph nodes contained metastases, survival was poor. Patients with recurrent disease also had poor survival.

Conclusions: Surgery remains the mainstay of therapy for vulvar melanoma. The use of excision and radical operations remained constant during the 10 years of the study.     

腔镜下腹腔淋巴结活检在疾病诊断中的临床应用

目的:探讨腹腔镜活检在不明原因腹腔淋巴结肿大疾病中的诊断价值。方法:2007年9月至2010年12月为23例临床难以诊断的腹腔淋巴结肿大患者通过腹腔镜检查及活检进行分析诊断,其中男13例,女10例;平均(43.6±21.4)岁。结果:23例分别取出1~4枚0.7~3.0 cm大的淋巴结,病理结果为炎症性淋巴结肿大10例,腹腔、肠系膜淋巴结结核6例,淋巴瘤5例,转移性肿瘤1例,无明确诊断1例。手术时间平均(73.2±47.8)min,术中出血量平均(34.6±11.5)ml,无中转开腹。术后平均住院(3.2±1.7)d。术后1例出现淋巴漏,未出现与腹腔镜检查直接相关的死亡病例。结论:腹腔镜淋巴结活检术具有患者创伤小、安全性高及患者康复快等优点,为不明原因的腹腔内淋巴结肿大提供了安全、有效的诊断手段;尤其对于非特异性淋巴结炎、腹腔淋巴结结核、淋巴瘤、转移性肿瘤等疾病诊断、鉴别困难时,腹腔镜检查、活检可提供正确的诊断,减少误诊。     

Kikuchi's disease: a review and analysis of 61 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Kikuchi's disease (KD), or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare self-limiting disorder that typically affects the cervical lymph nodes. It has occasionally been misdiagnosed as malignant lymphoma or another serious diseases; hence, clinicians should be made more aware of this disease. METHODS: From January 1986 to January 2001, a series of 61 patients who underwent a biopsy of a cervical lymph node and proved histologically to have KD were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and pathologic parameters of each patient. The patients were followed up from 6 months to 14.3 years (mean, 6.9 years). RESULTS: There were 34 women and 27 men (1.26:1 ratio; age range, 6 to 46 years; mean age, 21 years). The affected cervical lymph nodes were commonly located in the posterior cervical triangle (54 of 61, or 88.5%). Unilateral and bilateral cervical lymph nodes were affected in 54 and 7 patients, respectively. The dimensions of affected lymph nodes were commonly in the range of 0.5 to 4 cm (57 of 61, or 93.4%). In 2 patients, the size of the enlarged lymph nodes was greater than 6 cm. Leukopenia was observed in 14 patients (23%); fever, in 18 patients (29.5%). Five patients had a past history of tuberculosis. Two patients developed systemic lupus erythematosus, 1 month and 5 years later, respectively. The cervical lymphadenopathy usually resolved without any medical treatment within 6 months after definite diagnosis was made. In 3 patients, the enlarged lymph nodes eventually disappeared after more than 1 year. No recurrence has since been noted. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the theory that KD is a self-limiting disorder that does not require any specific management. The female predominance was not as striking as in the studies performed in Western countries. We suggest that the patients with KD require a systemic survey and regular follow-up for several years; 2 of our patients developed systemic lupus erythematosus. An effective communication between the otolaryngologist and pathologist is needed because the clinical and pathologic characteristics of KD are essential in making an accurate diagnosis.     

手部猫抓病的手术治疗及鉴别诊断

目的: 介绍手部猫抓病手术治疗方法、效果及猫抓病与其他类似疾病的鉴别。方法: 1998年 9月~2003年 6月对 5例手部猫抓病患者在全身应用抗生素控制局部症状基础上,作了患肢肿大淋巴结切除手术, 平均住院 13. 6d。结果: 5例患者病理证实猫抓病, 切口I期愈合。随访 9个月 ~5年半, 无 1例复发。结论: 手术切除猫抓病肿大淋巴结可以缩短病程, 疗效良好。