Assessment of peripheral lymph node tuberculosis: a prospective study of 24 cases

Abstract Introduction: Tubercular lymphadenitis which comes under Extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) has been affecting mankind since ancient times. Peripheral lymph node involvement is the commonest form of EPTB among which cervical lymph nodes are most frequently affected. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of peripheral lymph node Tuberculosis cases in a rural tertiary health care centre. Methods: The study was conducted prospectively at Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagunur, Karimnagar between January 2021 to August 2022. Pathologically confirmed cases of lymph node Tuberculosis were assessed and followed up. Results: 24 cases of lymph node TB were included with 83.3% females and 16.6% males (p=0.02) with a mean age of 32.6 ± 15.24 years. The mean age among males was 37 ± 15.59 years and among females was 31.75 ± 15.24 years. 58.3% were from rural areas. All of them presented with a history of swelling, 37.5% had a fever, 50% had a loss of appetite and 54.1% had a loss of weight. 8% had a past history of tuberculosis. 79.1% had cervical swelling and 20.8% had axillary swelling. 83.3% had multiple lymph nodes and 33.3% had lymph node matting. Three cases were lost to follow-up, 79% improved with standard anti-Tuberculosis treatment (ATT) and one case died during treatment. Conclusion: Lymph node TB is still prevalent in TB endemic countries and has to be considered first in the differential diagnosis of peripheral lymph node swellings.