[Initial diagnosis of head and neck tuberculosis]

Abstract

Background: In Germany tuberculosis has a decreasing incidence. The lung is the most common focus, whereas head and neck manifestation occurs rarely.

Material and methods: Between 1997 and 2010 all patients with initial diagnosis of tuberculosis of the head and neck region were retrospectively reviewed at the University Hospital of Bonn, Germany.

Results: 38 patients (24 female, 14 male, median age 43.5±19.7 years) were analysed. More than 60% were of foreign nationality. The majority of patients (87% ) presented with an unspecific cervical lymph node swelling. Extranodular manifestations (maxillary sinus, middle ear, larynx, tonsil) leading to organ specific symptoms rarely occurred. In only 3 cases a mycobacterial infection was suspected before surgery.

Conclusion: Only the knowledge of different manifestation patterns as well as an accurate anamnesis of infectious diseases can lead to the tentative diagnosis of tuberculosis prior to surgery.