Introduction: Even though cervical tubercular lymphadenitis is common in our country, there are few reports on studies regarding its association with lung involvement. This study was carried out with an aim to analyze chest Roentgenography (chest X-ray) abnormalities in FNAC confirmed cases of tubercular cervical lymphadenitis.
Materials and Method: Patients attending the OPD’s of Mcgann Teaching District Hospital, Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga, Karnataka, India, of all age groups and both genders having confirmed tubercular cervical lymphadenitis from June 2016 to June 2017 were included in the study. In all patients history, clinical examination, haemogram, sputum for AFB, FNAC of cervical lymph node with AFB staining and chest X-ray PA view was performed (n=78).
Results: This study has shown that the incidence of tubercular cervical lymphadenitis is more in the age group of 2nd and 3rd decade. Normal chest X-ray was found in 66 cases (84.61%) and abnormal chest X-ray in 12 cases (15.39%). Parenchymal infiltration, the commonest radiological finding was detected in 6 cases (7.69%) and hilar enlargement in 3 cases (3.84%). Pleural effusion, cavitations and miliary mottling was found in one case each (1.28%). Predominance of lung parenchymal infiltrations in upper zones was noted in 33.33%. Single zone was affected in 33.33% cases and multiple zones were involved in 16.66% cases.
Conclusions: This study emphasizes the role of chest Roentgenography in tubercular cervical lymphadenitis which is not being done in routine practice. Chest X-ray should be done in all tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis before categorization and starting of treatment which was enforced in recent Index TB Guidelines for extra pulmonary Tuberculous-2016.
Keywords: Chest X-ray; Cervical lymphadenitis; Tuberculosis
