Study about Tuberculous Lymphadenitis: Cases in children of Rural Area

Introduction: Tuberculosis is India’s biggest public health problem, it has been estimated that nearly 500,000 People die of this disease every year. Vast majority of cases are found in rural and semi urban areas, where more than 80 % of the Country’s population lives.

Amis and Objectives: To study the incidence of tuberculous lymphadenitis in children diagnosed at rural medical college.

Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the S.R.T.R. Medical College Ambajogi. All the cases less than 12 years of age diagnosed as tuberculosis were enrolled in the study. Total 417 cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed in the study in one year. Then the cases were divided in to pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis. Out of total extra pulmonary TB cases, 50 cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis were diagnosed. The cases were diagnosed by Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology or Histopathology. The clinical record of each case was studied which included age, sex, nutritional status, family history of contact with tubercular patient, status of BCG vaccination. Mantoux test was done in aal the children. Details clinical examination was done in all children including lymph nodes involved. X-ray chest and abdominal USG was also performed in all children. The findings were entered in the Microsoft excel and presented using appropriate tables and graphs.

Results: The incidence of tuberculous lymphadenitis was 11.99%. The maximum number of patients (44%) was in the age group 7-9 years. The male to female ratio is 1.17:1. Definite family history of pulmonary TB was seen in 30% cases whereas 64% cases had received BCG Vaccination. Multiple, matted enlarged Cervical nodes is the common presenting complaints.

Conclusion: The incidence of tubercular lymphadenitis was 11.99% out of total case of tuberculosis diagnosed in the study with predominantly cervical lymph node involvement. Tubercular lymphadenitis can occur in BCG vaccinated as well as well without any contact source in the family.