Six cases of hilar lymph nodes tuberculosis observed among adults
Suzuki, A.; Iwai, K.
Kekkaku 50(2): 63-70
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-9776 PMID: 1221177 Document Number: 92780
Six cases of hilar lymph node tuberculosis presumed to be primary tuberculosis were observed among 21-48 yr old adults. Their tuberculin reaction was negative or sometimes weakly positive after BCG vaccination. At the time of onset, 4 cases had high fever (up to 39.degree. C) which subsided spontaneously before chemotherapy or shortly after its initiation. Tubercle bacilli were cultured in 5 cases (3 in sputum, 2 in biopsied scalene lymph nodes, 1 in gastric juice), and caseous lesions were recognized in the 3 biopsied scalene lymph nodes. This fact suggests that the scalene lymph node biopsy is a useful tool for the diagnosis of hilar lymph node tuberculosis, and that the bacteriological examination of the biopsied nodes is necessary to ascertain the drug sensitivity of the bacilli and to differentiate the disease from sarcoidosis. Hilar lymph node tuberculosis is becoming less rare in adults due to the recent reduction in tuberculosis prevalence and the consequent shift of the age of primary infection to the higher age groups.