The role of surgery in tuberculous lymphadenitis in adults.

Abstract

Five of 15 cases of tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis seen at a tuberculosis center during a three-year period failed to respond to conventional chemotherapy despite the resolution of tuberculous lesions involving other organ systems in 3 of the patients. Good results were subsequently attained by en bloc excision of the involved nodes while chemotherapy was continued. The role of surgical treatment in this form of tuberculosis remains an important one.