Etiology of Cervical Lymphadenitis in Children

Abstract

ALTHOUGH cervical lymphadenitis is a frequent finding in the pediatric age group there is little information concerning this abnormality in standard textbooks, particularly regarding its pathogenesis. The relative frequency with which the various causative agents may produce adenitis has not been well established. Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis1 2 3 and scrofula caused by the atypical mycobacteria4 5 6 7 have been described in detail. Cat-scratch disease has also received widespread attention as a cause of regional adenitis.8 Adamson9 found a relatively high incidence of Group A streptococci in cervical lymph nodes of children in bacteriologic studies of post-mortem specimens, and cervical lymphadenitis is a frequent finding . . .