A case of esophageal tuberculosis which developed during the treatment for tuberculous lymphadenitis

A 23-year-old man was admitted to the other hospital complaining of fever and lymph node swelling in the left neck. Computed tomography showed swollen mediastinal lymph nodes without intrapulmonary lesions. Mycobacterium tuberculosis were identified by sputum culture and cervical lymph node biopsy and the case was diagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenitis. Three weeks after starting treatment with four anti-tuberculous drugs, he complained chest pain while eating and chest X-ray showed a new infiltrative shadow in the right cardiophrenic angle, then he was admitted to our hospital. Esophagoscopy revealed a deep ulceration with fistulas at 30 cm from the incisor and he was diagnosed as esophageal tuberculosis by histological examination of the biopsy specimen showing remarkable leukocytes infiltration and epithelioid cell granulomas with a few multinucleated giant cells. After antituberculous chemotherapy for six months, the mediastinal and cervical lymphadenopathy were reduced in size and the esophageal ulceration almost disappeared. Although esophageal tuberculosis is rare, the disease might develop during or after mediastinal or periesophageal tuberculous lymphadenitis.     

Case of liver tuberculosis requiring differentiation from liver metastasis of cancer

A 79-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of general fatigue. Chest radiograph and computed tomograph showed bronchiectasis and centrilobular nodules in the right middle lobe and lingula, which had not changed from previous examination. Intrahepatic nodular lesions and swelling of the left cervical lymph nodes, supraclavicular lymph node, abdominal paraaortic lymph nodes and inguinal lymph nodes was observed. Biopsy specimen of the liver lesion demonstrated epithelioid cell granulomas. Biopsy of the right inguinal lymph node demonstrated epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis and culture of the specimen showed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient was diagnosed as having liver tuberculosis and multiple tuberculous lymphadenitis. Antituberculous treatment with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide were started and continued for 6 months. All lesions improved after treatment. This was a rare case of liver tuberculosis that was difficult to distinguish from liver metastasis of cancer.     

二维图像及多普勒超声血管模式在颈部淋巴结病变诊断应用

目的探讨二维图像及彩色多普勒超声血管模式在颈部淋巴结结核诊断中的应用价值,为临床诊断提供参考。方法分析我院149例颈部淋巴结肿大患者,分析指标包括淋巴结的长径/短径、边界清楚与否、淋巴门有无、淋巴结的内部回声等,同时结合彩色多普勒超声淋巴结血管模式。结果 79例经病理证实为淋巴结结核,55例经病理证实为良性淋巴结(其中淋巴结炎37例,反应性增生淋巴结18例),15例经病理证实为恶性淋巴结(其中淋巴瘤3例,转移性淋巴结12例),恶性肿大淋巴结长短径比1.5,良性肿大淋巴结长短径比2,结核性肿大淋巴结1.5。结核性肿大淋巴结内部多见无回声区及钙化,77.2%的结核性肿大淋巴结可见边缘型或中央型血管模式,常出现无血供淋巴结。结论根据二维图像及血管模式特征,颈部淋巴结结核大多都能做出明确诊断。     

A case of lung cancer with hyperthyroidism]

We here report a case of metastasis from lung cancer to the thyroid. On presentation, this patient showed painful anterior cervical swelling and right supraclavicular lymph node swelling. Laboratory data showed primary hyperthyroidism. Although subacute thyroiditis was suspected, echo-guided needle aspiration biopsy and lymph node biopsy revealed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. As a result, primary lung cancer with thyroid metastasis was diagnosed based on mediastinal enlargement on chest X ray films and normal findings in organs other than the lung and thyroid. Chemotherapy for lung cancer induced a decrease in the size of tumor and the normalization of thyroid function. However, 2 months after the normalization, cervical swelling enlarged and a lung mass in right upper lobe and skin tumor appeared. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, she died. Postmortem revealed that the right upper lung carcinoma was the primary lesion and immunohistochemical staining for surfactant protein was positive in the thyroid, skin tumor and lymph node, which revealed these carcinomas had metastasized from lung cancer. To the best of our knowledge, thyrotoxicosis induced by thyroid metastasis of lung cancer is an uncommon case.     

A case of subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis with localized interstitial pneumonia

A 16-year-old male was admitted with a history of cervical lymph node swelling, high fever, cough and hemosputum. On admission, bilateral cervical lymph nodes swelling and fine crackles in the right lower lung field were noted. A chest X-ray film showed an infiltrative shadow in the right lower lung field and right hilar enlargement. Cervical lymph node biopsy specimens revealed wide areas of necrosis with nuclear debris. Transbronchial lung biopsy showed infiltration of lymphocytes in the interstitium and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed increased T-lymphocytes and a decreased T4/T8 ratio. The patient was diagnosed to have subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis with T-lymphocyte alveolitis. Additionally, antinuclear antibodies were positive, and anti HTLV-I antibody was false positive. These findings suggested an immunological abnormality in this case. His cervical lymph node swelling and infiltrative shadow on chest X-ray film improved with steroid therapy. Our case may be the first case of subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis with T-lymphocyte alveolitis.     

Case of miliary tuberculosis with esophageal perforation and a tracheal inflammatory polyp secondary to mediastinal lymphadenitis causing massive hematemesis and hemosputum

A 62-year-old man with a history of left nephrectomy due to tuberculosis was referred to our hospital, because chest radiography showed diffuse miliary shadows in the bilateral lung fields, and acid-fast bacilli were detected from his hemosputum after steroid therapy for fever of unknown origin. Chest computed tomography showed mediastinal lymph node enlargement with partial calcification of these lymph nodes together with the presence of air. He was diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis and tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis and anti-tuberculosis drug therapy was started. Massive hematemesis occurred 11 days after the start of the treatment. Although gastroendoscopy was performed, the bleeding point could not be identified. The patient's symptoms improved after conservative therapy. Repeat gastroendoscopy showed a submucosal nodule with laceration of the esophageal mucosa, 30 days after admission for the examination of melena and progression of anemia. The episodes occurred because of esophageal perforation secondary to tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis. Bronchoscopic examination for hemosputum showed an inflammatory polypoid lesion in the left tracheal wall. These symptoms improved with anti-tuberculosis drug therapy. In our case, mediastinal lymphadenitis progressed to miliary tuberculosis because of endogenous reactivation. We report a rare case of esophageal perforation with a tracheal inflammatory polyp secondary to tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis. In cases of tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis, if hematemesis or hemosputum is observed, an endoscopic examination should be performed.     

A case of tuberculous lymphadenitis diagnosed by the open abdominal lymph node biopsy

A 16-year-old female was admitted to our hospital six months ago. On X-ray examination of the test, swelling of lymph nodes in the right mediastinum was seen. CT scan showed multiple lymph node swelling in the neck, mediastinum and abdomen. On open abdominal lymph node biopsy, she was diagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenitis and liver tuberculosis. Antituberculous chemotherapy consisting of INH, RFP, EB and SM was started. After regular treatment, right mediastinal lymph nodes were markedly reduced in size on chest X-ray film. At present, she is in fine condition. Surprisingly, her condition has improved to a great extent within six months.     

Tuberculous lymphadenitis: a clinical study of 23 cases

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous lymphadenitis is a relatively rare disease in adults. In the absence of pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculous lymphadenitis is very difficult to differentiate from other diseases. We described our experiences of patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis. RESULTS: We diagnosed 23 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis out of 207 patients with tuberculosis. Their ages ranged from 18 to 99 years (mean, 45.7 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 7:16. The most common complaints were cervical mass and fever. With the exception of two patients, all diagnosed patients had a strong positive skin test to tuberculin. Observing the site of affected lymph nodes, 16 patients had cervical node involvement, 3 patients had axillary node involvement, 7 patients had mediastinal node involvement, 3 patients had hilar node involvement, 3 patients had abdominal node involvement, and 1 patient had inguinal node involvement. Fifteen patients had neither hilar nor mediastinal node involvement. Eleven patients had no tuberculous lesions other than lymphadenitis. Seven patients underwent biopsy of the lymph nodes. Four of these patients had the evidence of acid-fast bacilli. The remaining three patients were also diagnosed histologically. Five patients underwent fine needle aspiration. Two of them had the evidence of acid-fast bacilli. Acid-fast bacilli were detected in 10 out of 16 sputum samples and in 1 out of 2 pleural effusion samples. Five patients were diagnosed clinically by image (Computed tomography etc.) and by therapeutic effect. Eleven cases underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the lymph nodes. Seven cases showed central low attenuation with peripheral rim enhancement, whereas the other four cases showed homogeneous attenuation. All patients received chemotherapy for a mean duration of 14.5 months (range, 6-30 years) with apparent improvement, but 1 patient relapsed. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous lymphadenitis remains one of important targets for the differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. It is essential that a peripheral lymph node biopsy be performed and examined either histologically and/or microbiologically. A tuberculin skin test and contrast-enhanced CT imaging should also be performed.     

Three cases of small intrapulmonary lymph nodes coincidental with primary lung cancer]

We report three cases of intrapulmonary lymph nodes coincidental with primary lung cancers. In the first case, a 56-year-old man had a small subpleural nodule in the right lower lobe associated with adenocarcinoma of the right upper lobe. The small nodule was 10 mm in diameter and was difficult to differentiate radiologically from intrapulmonary metastasis. Wedge resection of this small nodule was performed. Histologic examination of the nodule revealed an intrapulmonary lymph node with anthracotic pigmentation. A right upper lobectomy for adenocarcinoma was performed, and was completely curative. The second patient, a 77-year-old woman, had adenocarcinoma in the right lower lobe diagnosed by transbronchial biopsy. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a small nodule 5 mm in diameter in the right upper lobe. Histologic examination of the small wedge-resected nodule revealed a lymph node. Lower lobectomy was performed with completely curative results. In the third case, a 63-year-old man was admitted for investigation of a mass shadow in the right upper lobe. CT showed a small nodular shadow in the right middle lobe, confirmed histologically to be lymphoid tissue, in addition to the original mass, which was diagnosed by transbronchial biopsy as squamous cell carcinoma. Upper lobectomy was performed and proved to be curative. Small intrapulmonary lymph nodes are very difficult to diagnose by methods other than surgical resection. When a small intrapulmonary nodule is detected in a patient with primary lung cancer, the presence of an intrapulmonary lymph node must be considered. If radiological characters compatible with an intrapulmonary lymph node are found and there is no other metastasis indicating poor prognosis, it should be considered as a possible indication for surgical resection.     

A case of primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis has decreased after the wide use of anti-tuberculous agents, recently the number of reports with the disease has slightly increased in accordance with advances in the diagnostic tools. A case of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis without any tuberculous lesions in other organs (primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis) was reported. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old female complained of vertigo and cervical masses, and naso-pharygo-laryngoscopy disclosed a polypoid lesion on her nasopharynx. The biopsy from the mass revealed epithelioid cell granulomas with caseous necrosis and multinucleated giant cells consistent with tuberculosis. Since there were no tuberculous lesions in other organs except cervical lymph nodes in clinical examinations, we diagnosed the case as primary nasopharyngeal tuberculosis with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis. The nasopharyngeal manifestation disappeared after four months chemotherapy with INH, RFP and EB. DISCUSSION: Most reported case of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis were in the young age group. A rare case of old woman complicated with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis was reported.     

颈部淋巴结结核发生结核性脓肿的危险因素分析

目的 探讨颈部淋巴结结核患者发生结核性脓肿的相关危险因素。方法 分析2013年7月至2016年6月于同济大学附属上海市肺科医院住院确诊的符合纳入标准的280例颈部淋巴结结核患者临床资料,分析颈部结核性淋巴结脓肿发生的危险因素。结果 280例颈部淋巴结结核患者中有52例(18.6%)患者在治疗中出现淋巴结脓肿、自行破溃或需要淋巴结切开引流。发生脓肿者中不规范治疗者占38.5%(20/52)、肿大淋巴结直径≥2cm者占76.9%(40/52)、年龄≤45岁者占90.4%(47/52);未发生脓肿者中不规范治疗者占24.6%(56/228)、肿大淋巴结直径≥2cm者占55.3%(126/228)、年龄≤45岁者占77.6%(177/228);差异均有统计学意义(χ²值分别为4.14、8.23、4.30,P值均<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,不规范治疗(OR=2.53,95%CI:1.31~4.89)、肿大淋巴结直径≥2cm(OR=2.29,95%CI:1.12~4.66)和年龄≤45岁(OR=3.68,95%CI:1.21~11.17)为发生颈部结核性淋巴结脓肿的危险因素。结论颈部淋巴结结核患者治疗不规范、肿大淋巴结直径≥2cm及年龄≤45岁为发生结核性脓肿的独立危险因素,当颈部淋巴结结核患者出现上述危险因素时要警惕发生结核性脓肿的可能。     

An adult case of cervico-mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis]

We reported a case of cervico-mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis followed by the development of pulmonary lesions and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. A 48-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to fever, dry cough, and loss of body weight. He had no medical history of tuberculosis or other significant diseases. On admission, a right cervical tumor was palpable and chest X-ray films revealed widened superior mediastinum. Chest computed tomography showed multiple swollen mediastinal lymph nodes, including multiple low-density areas and contrast medium-enhanced septa and margins. Gallium-67 scintigraphy demonstrated abnormal uptake in the right cervix and mediastinum. A PPD skin test was strongly positive and ribosomal RNA of tubercle bacilli was detected in aspirated gastric juice. Although anti-tuberculous chemotherapy was initiated, fever and cough persisted, and hoarseness due to left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy developed. One month later, chest X-ray films showed abnormal infiltration in the left upper lung field. The patient was sero-negative for HIV. To confirm the diagnosis, right supraclavicular lymph node biopsy was performed. Microscopic examination of the biopsy specimen revealed acid-fast bacilli and granuloma with central caseous necrosis surrounded by Langhans' giant cells and epithelioid cells. After 9 months of extended anti-tuberculous chemotherapy, the cervical and mediastinal masses receded and the abnormal chest X-ray shadows disappeared. Because the incidence of tuberculosis in Japan is gradually increasing among young people as well as the elderly, the differential diagnosis of this disease will become more necessary.     

Coexisting bronchial carcinoid tumor and pulmonary tuberculosis in the same lobe: a case report

The synchronous occurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchial carcinoid tumor is unusual. Although pulmonary tuberculosis can coexist with all histological types of lung cancer, few coexisting cases of bronchial carcinoid tumor and pulmonary tuberculosis have been reported. We present coexistent bronchial carcinoid tumor and pulmonary tuberculosis in the same lobe. A 39-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with chest pain for two months. Chest radiograph showed consolidation in the right lower field. Computed tomography of the thorax demonstrated multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathies, infiltration and atelectasis in the right lower lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed a mass lesion totally obstructing the proximal right lower lobe bronchus. The pathological diagnosis was typical carcinoid tumor. Right lower lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed. The pathological examination of resected material revealed coexistent tuberculosis and carcinoid tumor in the same lobe and mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis.     

A resected case of mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis with pericostal tuberculosis

A case of 22-year-old female with mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis and pericostal tuberculosis was reported. Her complaint was right chest pain and subcutaneous mass on the right chest wall. Chest contrast CT showed right paratracheal lymph node swelling with central low density area and surrounding rim enhancement, which has been reported as typical characteristics of mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis. Pigeon-egg sized subcutaneous mass with fluctuation was palpable on the right sternal border and the smear of its content showed acid-fast bacilli. In spite of two months therapy with antituberculous drugs, both masses were unchanged in size. The lesions resected surgically, were both encapsulated abscesses containing yellowish pus, and microscopic examination of these specimen disclosed the finding of tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from contents of both masses. After nine months of anti-tuberculous therapy, no sign of recurrence is observed until now. Both masses were discontinuous and the possibility of lymphangitic spread of organism was speculated as its etiology.     

Case with double primary cancers occurring synchronously in both the lung and jejunum diagnosed according to TTF-1 expression]

A 47-year-old man was diagnosed as having adenocarcinoma of the lung (T4N0M0) in August 2002. He received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In June 2003, he complained of lower abdominal pain with palpable mass in the left lower abdomen. On abdominal CT, we recognized a mass measuring 50 mm, which we considered a mesenteric lymph node. As the mass gradually grew and pain increased, we performed lymph node resection. The lymph node was near by the Treitz' ligament, and a tumor measuring 30 mm was observed in the jejunum. Therefore, we performed jejunectomy. Pathological examination of the lesion demonstrated adenocarcinoma. The differential diagnosis between small intestine metastasis and primary small intestine cancer was difficult. As adenocarcinoma of the jejunum was negative for TTF-1 in immunohistochemical staining and adenocarcinoma of the lung was positive, we diagnosed this patient as having primary jejunal cancer. We report this rare case of double cancer involving the lung and jejunum.     

An unusual cause of cervical lymphadenitis: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

Cervical lymphadenitis may be the result of diverse conditions in a patient. Clinical and epidemiologic information about cervical lymphadenitis can often lead to a presumptive diagnosis and, thus, limit the number of studies required as well as direct the type of initial therapy administered. We report a case of cervical lymphadenitis in a Vietnamese woman for whom a presumptive diagnosis of tuberculosis was made and antituberculous therapy was started. Pathologic examination of an excised lymph node revealed the correct diagnosis--histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, or Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. We review the clinical, epidemiologic, and pathologic features of this recently recognized disease. Careful examination of excised material from the lymph nodes should prevent patients who have Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease from receiving unnecessary treatment.     

以磨玻璃样密度影为表现的早期肺癌并发肺结核患者的诊治分析

目的 分析以磨玻璃样密度影(ground-glass opacity,GGO)为表现的早期肺癌并发肺结核患者的临床特点,以达到早期识别及治疗的目的。方法 对山东大学附属山东省胸科医院自2013年1月至2018年2月确诊的14例以GGO为首要表现的肺癌并发肺结核患者的临床表现、CT扫描征象、手术方式、病理类型等进行回顾性分析。结果 以GGO为表现的早期肺癌并发肺结核以查体时发现多见(9/14),CT表现为陈旧性结核病灶并发混合密度GGO(mGGO) 12例;GGO与结核病灶位于同侧同叶4例。术前对患者进行规范抗结核药物治疗9例,术后继续行规范抗结核药物治疗6例。术前有3例患者行CT引导下肺穿刺活检确诊肺癌,其余11例为术中冰冻切片病理检查证实。行肺叶切除加纵隔淋巴结清扫10例,肺叶(GGO病灶所在处)切除加同侧异叶肺结核瘤局部切除2例,肺段切除1例,楔形切除1例。肺结核病灶标本经病理检查确诊10例,另4例依据病史及影像学表现符合陈旧性肺结核诊断;表现为GGO的早期肺癌病灶标本经病理检查确诊腺癌11例,鳞癌1例,腺鳞癌1例,大细胞癌1例。纵隔淋巴结病理检查均未见转移。本组患者术后均顺利康复,短期随访未见肿瘤复发、转移及结核复燃等。结论 GGO为表现的早期肺癌并发肺结核患者其临床表现无特异性,薄层CT扫描加动态观察有利于诊断。手术方式需在肺癌切除的基础上兼顾结核病灶的处理,规范的抗结核药物治疗加手术切除治疗效果满意。     

Adult T-cell leukemia with various pulmonary complications]

A 59-year-old male, born in Wakayama prefecture, was admitted to our hospital because of cervical lymph node swelling, huge mass lesions in both liver and head of the pancreas, and multiple nodular shadows in the left lung. Lymph node biopsy revealed a necrotic lesion containing tuberculous bacilli with no epithelioid cells or giant cells. Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) was diagnosed by the presence of atypical lymphocytes with a convoluted nucleus and positive anti-ATL antibody. During successful treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with ethambutol, isoniazid and rifampicin, ATL transformed to the blastic phase. The new pulmonary infiltrates improved after treatment with both combination chemotherapy for ATL and antibiotics. However, new infiltrative shadows appeared in both lungs, and were resistant to treatment and the patient died of acute respiratory failure. Histological examination of the lung at autopsy showed interstitial fibrosis with infiltration of leukemic cells and cytomegalovirus infection.     

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Masquerading as Metastatic Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare cervical inflammatory lymphadenitis that is most commonly seen in young Asian women. It is mainly characterized by lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, fever, nocturnal sweats, myalgia, weight loss, and arthralgia, and commonly follows a self-limited course. The differential diagnosis is challenging as many other conditions such as malignant lymphoma, metastatic disease, tuberculosis and infectious lymphadenopathies can present in a similar way. We present an unusual case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease masquerading as metastatic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.A 30-year-old young female presented, 2 months post-partum, with complaints of neck pain and fever. A computed tomography scan showed enlarged right-sided lymph nodes and a thyroid nodule. Subsequent biopsy of a thyroid nodule revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma and reactive inflammation in one of the lymph nodes. She underwent an elective total thyroidectomy, central node dissection and a right modified lymph node dissection for enlarged lymph nodes. Her recovery was uneventful and the pathology report was consistent with a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with one lymph node positive for metastatic disease and several other lymph nodes showing histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis.This coexistence of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease with localized metastatic papillary thyroid cancer is unusual and presents an interesting, challenging, and complex management dilemma.