Nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children

Objectives. To describe the clinical and epidemiologic features, management and outcome associated with the development of nontuberculous my. cobacterial (NTM) superficial lymphadenitis in children. Methods. The medical records of all children 0 to 14 years of age with NTM superficial lymphadenitis who were diagnosed at P. and A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital between January, 1982, and December, 1997, were reviewed. Results, Forty-seven children were identified, 76.5% during the second half of the study period. Mycobacterium avium complex was the predominant isolate. Children with NTM lymphadenitis noted satisfactory aesthetic results when total excision was performed within 1 month after its onset. Conclusions. NTM superficial lymphadenitis in children has been increasingly recognized during the last decade. Prompt total excision of the involved lymph node is required in such patients.