Tuberculous lymphadenitis

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Tuberculous lymphadenitis
Tubercular adinitis with sinus.JPG
Tubercular adenitis with sinus
Classification and external resources
Specialty Infectious disease
ICD-10 A18.2
ICD-9-CM 017.2

Tuberculous lymphadenitis (or tuberculous adenitis) is a chronic specific granulomatous inflammation of the lymph node with caseation necrosis, caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis.

The characteristic morphological element is the tuberculous granuloma (caseating tubercule). This consists of giant multinucleated cells and (Langhans cells), surrounded by epithelioid cells aggregates, T cell lymphocytes and fibroblasts. Granulomatous tubercules eventually develop central caseous necrosis and tend to become confluent, replacing the lymphoid tissue.

Stages of Tubercular Lymphadenitis -

  1. Lymphadenitis
  2. Periadenitis
  3. Cold abscess
  4. 'Collar stud' abscess
  5. Sinus

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is popularly known as Collar stud abscess, due to its proximity to the collar bone and superficial resemblance to a collar stud, although this is just one of the five stages of the disease. The characteristic morphological element is the tuberculous granuloma (caseating tubercule): giant multinucleated cells (Langhans cells), surrounded by epithelioid cells aggregates, T cell lymphocytes and few fibroblasts. Granulomatous tubercules evolve to central caseous necrosis and tend to become confluent, replacing the lymphoid tissue.

Treatment[edit]

Incision drainage with proper evacuation of the abscess, followed by anti-tubercular antibiotic treatment.

External links[edit]