Conservative treatment for cutaneous fistula resulted from abscess formation in patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis.

OBJECTIVE

This study describes the clinical characteristics and course of conservative treatment using anti-Tb medication and dressing in patients with tuberculous cervical fistula resulting from abscess formation, and to investigate factors prognostic of dressing and treatment duration.

METHODS

The medical records of patients with tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis were reviewed, and 38 of these patients who presented with cutaneous fistula that resulted from abscess formation were included in the study.

RESULTS

The mean duration of dressing until fistula closure was 3.7±2.0months (range 0.2-8.5), and the mean duration of treatment with anti-Tb medication was 10.6±2.6months (range 6.0-16.0). Patients with concomitant Tb, beyond the cervical lymph nodes showed significantly prolonged duration of dressing (4.6 months vs. 3.2 months, p=0.025) and anti-Tb medication (11.8 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.015).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that about 3.7 months of dressing was required for fistula closure. Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis patients with fistula who had Tb beyond the cervical lymph nodes could be expected to require dressing for 4.6 months and prolonged and anti-Tb medication treatment.