Description

A previously healthy 26-year-old man presented with 1-month history of right-sided neck swelling. According to him, the swelling progressively increased in size over 1 week and concurrently became red and painful. There was no dysphagia or odynophagia. He denied recent fever, upper respiratory infection, B-symptoms or constitutional symptoms. He had no recent sick contact, travelling and or any pets or animal contact. Additionally, patient denies high-risk behaviour, and he is a non-smoker. The patient visited multiple clinics for the past month, completed two courses of antibiotics, however, the neck swelling persists.

On examination, the patient was afebrile, not septic looking and was comfortable under room air. Neck examination revealed right supraclavicular swelling measuring 5×6 cm, fluctuant with no visible punctum, tender and erythematous looking (figure 1). Additionally, multiple matted, firm, non-tender lymph nodes were appreciated corresponding to level II of right side of the neck. No other lymph nodes or hepatosplenomegaly were palpable. Lung auscultation was clear and equal bilaterally. Complete baseline blood investigations performed were unremarkable, however, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised; 53 mm/hour.

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Figure 1

Right erythematous supraclavicular swelling.

Fine-needle aspiration done under local analgesia yielded frank pus which was sent for culture and sensitivity (C&S) along with acid-fast bacilli (AFB). The pus AFB sent showed presence of AFB (figure 2), hence a diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis was made and the patient was referred to the respiratory department for a full tuberculosis (TB) workup and anti-TB was commenced. Mantoux test performed was positive; 17 mm with unremarkable chest radiography as well as sputum AFB.

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Figure 2

Presence of acid-fast bacili. Arrow: acid-fast bacilli

Neck mass, although a common presentation to the primary care clinic remains a conundrum ensuing the multitude possibility. With an exhaustive list of differential diagnoses, ranging from benign to serious etiologies, all physicians should equip themselves with knowledge of common neck masses. This is to facilitate them in managing the condition or to refer to the otorhinolaryngology or surgical department for further investigations and treatment.

The most common form of extrapulmonary TB is tuberculous lymphadenitis or scrofula, especially in the cervical region.1 2 This condition is commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis although atypical mycobacterium such as Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium kansasii, has been reported in the literature, especially involving children. Interestingly, five stages involving the progression of tuberculous lymphadenitis has been described by Jones and Campbell3 (box 1). Our patient presented in stage 3, where there was abscess formation.

Most patients with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis do not present with systemic symptoms,1 4 similar to our patient. Patients with bacterial lymphadenopathy habitually presents with constitutional symptoms of malaise, fever and loss of weight and generally respond to appropriate antibiotics. B-symptoms are commonly seen among lymphoma patients, whereas metastatic head and neck carcinoma patients presents with associated skin lesions or ear, nose or throat symptoms. Kikuchi disease also known as histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis typically presents with painless cervical lymphadenopathy with or without systemic signs and symptoms. It is a self-limiting, autoimmune condition with a female predominance and is managed through supportive treatment.

Assessment of cervical masses has been recently accompanied by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) owing to its high sensitivity and specificity as a reliable diagnostic tool. For countries like Malaysia, where TB cases are discovered on a day-to-day basis, granulomatous changes in combination with caseous or coagulative necrosis are highly suggestive of tuberculosis.5 It is imperative that Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining for AFB should be carried out together with mycobacterium C&S as negative ZN staining does not rule of TB and mycobacterium C&S can be positive which prompts a repeat of FNAC or even a tissue biopsy.6

Myriad protocol regime exists to date to manage extrapulmonary TB. In our practice, 6-month combination chemotherapy of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol is implied. Chemotherapy was proven to be effective in comparison to surgical excision of the involved lymph nodes. Prior to initiation of chemotherapy, a host of investigations should be carried out, including complete blood count, ESR, renal profile, liver function test, viral screening, sputum AFB direct smear, Mantoux test and chest X-ray as in our patient.

Challenge in managing cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis is that there is no clear guide for assessment of extrapulmonary TB following treatment. Additionally, postcompletion of treatment, residual lymph node can be observed in nearly 15%–30% of patients. Residual lymph node may not necessarily indicate treatment failure and may be following a paradoxical reaction. Hence, close monitoring of the lymph node is crucial on weather microbiological testing is needed following a short-term observation.

Prognosis of cervical TB lymphadenitis is good provided patient is compliant to the chemotherapy regimen and follow-up. Having said so, it is prudent that resistance towards antituberculous medication, which is burgeoning rapidly, is discovered early and managed to ensure fatal ramifications are avoided.