Pediatric infectious cervical lymphadenitis.

Infectious cervical lymphadenitis is a frequently encountered problem in the pediatric population. The recent experience with infectious cervical lymphadenitis at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was reviewed. The most common etiologic agent was Staphylococcus aureus. beta-Hemolytic streptococcus and mycobacterium were found in 15% and 6% of cases respectively. Other agents included pneumococcus, cat scratch, Toxoplasma gondii, actinomycosis, and mixed bacteroides and peptostreptococcus. Most patients responded to high-dose intravenous antistaphylococcal penicillin. Needle aspiration proved successful in identifying the casual agent in a high percentage of cases. Aspiration was also beneficial in draining small abscess cavities. Surgical drainage was rarely necessary.