Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Cervical Lymphadenitis: Tips & Pearls for Headache-Free Management (2022 AMW)
2022 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
Nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis is a common cause of subacute and chronic cervicofacial masses in children under 5-years-old. The natural history of such disease involves slowly enlarging lymphadenopathy of the cervicofacial region. Most patients will not have systemic symptoms and the infection itself will remain isolated to one region. With time, the classic violaceous skin discoloration can occur as the infection extends beyond the lymph node capsule. The infection can progress to a draining fistula as the latest stage. There is no universally accepted work-up or treatment algorithm. Common work-up options involve lab tests, ultrasound, and biopsy. Current treatment options include observation, antibiotic therapy, curettage, fine needle aspiration, incision and drainage and complete surgical excision. Each of these options come with benefits and possible complications. The management decision is highly medical center dependent as no consensus exist. Several grey zones exist for this topic. What are, if any, are the highest yield tests? How can we predict spontaneous resolution? Who should undergo surgery and if indicated, does complete excision of involved nodes provide better outcomes than curettage? Should antibiotics be given at the same time? Should adjacent cervical nodes be addressed? Nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis (NTML) is a common cause of subacute and chronic cervicofacial masses in children under 5 years of age This session will cover the work-up and management options of nontuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis and will help the clinician to decide which therapy might be more appropriate for each patient. This panel of experts will be composed of 3 pediatric otolaryngologists skilled in the management of such patients.
Credits
CME:1.0, MOC:1.0