Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis.

Atypical mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis is predominantly a disease of childhood, presenting with lesions high in the neck. The incidence of this disease is apparently on the increase. There is rarely concurrent pulmonary involvement. Although management is controversial, the case reported demonstrates an instance in which surgery was combined with chemotherapy. Coincidently, surgery provides the best opportunity for definitive bacteriologic identification. Diagnosis should be based on histologic studies combined with tuberculin skin testing, bacteriologic identification, and cultures from the affected glands. Although it is uncommon, tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis should definitely be entertained in the differential diagnosis of neck masses, especially in young children.