Open biopsy for cervical node tuberculosis is still a need in our set up

Objectives: to assess that open biopsy is mandatory for diagnosing cervical node tuberculosis. material and method: the study was conducted at dhq hospital,swabi over 2 years period from january 2013 to december 2014. fourteen cases of cervical lymph node tuberculosis were confirmed histological by open biopsy. all were treated with anti tuberculous as category i patients and were treated with six months att with two months intensive and four months continuation phase under directly observed treatment short course (dots). results: fourteen cases including twelve female and two male with age range from 2 years to 60 years were diagnosed as tb cervical lymph nodes. 5 patients (35.7%) presented with matted nodes,4 cases presented with cold abscess(28.5%),discrete node in 3 cases (21.4%) and bil node in 2 cases (14.2%). associated constitutional signs symptoms were fever(64.2%),weight loss (57.14%),poor appetite and anemia (50% each) and raised esr in 71.4%. conclusion: open biopsy is still advisable for diagnosis of cervical node tuberculosis. © 2016 khyber medical college. all rights reserved.