Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck

James T. Albright, Seth M. Pransky

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous in the environment. Immuno-competent children are commonly infected by these resilient organisms. Cervical lymphadenitis, the most frequent head and neck manifestation of NTM infection, often presents as chronic, unilateral lymphadenopathy with characteristic violaceous overlying skin changes. Diagnosis is ultimately dependent on culture or histopathologic examination of specimen obtained through excisional lymph node biopsy or FNA. The principal treatment of NTM infection remains the surgical excision of diseased tissue. Antibiotics augment surgical therapy and their potential role as a single-modality therapy continues to be investigated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)503-514
Number of pages12
JournalPediatric Clinics of North America
Volume50
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this