Mycobacterial pseudotumors of lymph node. A report of two cases diagnosed at the time of intraoperative consultation using touch imprint preparations.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this report is to emphasize the diagnostic utility of intraoperative touch imprint preparations in the evaluation of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-infected lymph node biopsy specimens obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients.

PATIENTS: Two human immunodeficiency virus-positive men, 41 and 29 years of age, with marked lymphadenopathy clinically suspicious for malignant neoplasm.

RESULTS

Intraoperative touch imprints of two lymph node biopsy specimens rapidly demonstrated the presence of numerous intracellular organisms in Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare-infected lymph nodes, including one case of mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative touch imprint preparations are helpful in the evaluation of lymph node biopsy specimens obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients and allow rapid diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection.