How does clinical diagnosis of mycobacterial adenitis correlate with histological findings?
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Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
East African Journal of Public Health
Abstract
Objective: To describe and compare histopathological findings with clinical criteria in diagnosis of TB adenitis.
Methods: Lymph node biopsies were obtained from 213 patients. Specimens were processed for culture and histopathologic examination,
using standard methods. One hundred blocks with good preservation of tissue morphology were selected for detailed histological
examination.
Results: About 75% of 213 patients had granulomas. In the remaining 25%, neither histopathological nor microbiological evidence of
mycobacterial disease was found. Of 100 blocks selected for detailed examination, 79 blocks had granulomatous changes. The granulomas
were well organised in 24%, mixed in 33%, and poorly organised in 43%. Langhans giant cells and acid-fast bacilli were observed in 88.6%
and 21.5% of the 79 blocks, respectively. Cultured specimens were positive in about 10% of 79 biopsy specimens.
Conclusions: Histological evidence of mycobacterial disease was only found in three quarters of patients that were clinically diagnosed and
started on empirical treatment for tuberculous adenitis. Neither histological nor mycobacteriological evidence was found in a quarter of the
patients who were already on treatment for TB, basing on clinical criteria. These findings call for new research on simple diagnostic tools
for patients who seek care for symptoms of extra-pulmonary TB
Description
Keywords
Tuberculosis adenitis, Granuloma, Tanzania
Citation
Mfinanga, S. G., Sviland, L., Chande, H., Mustafa, T., & Mørkve, O. (2007). How does clinical diagnosis of mycobacterial adenitis correlate with histological findings?. East African journal of public health, 4(2), 47–50.