Published on July 2022 | Tuberculosis, Extrapulmonary TB; children; lymphadenitis.

Childhood Cervical TB Lymphadenitis with Draining Sinuses: A Report from High TB Burden Resource Limited Setting

Though tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) in children, it is usually overlooked as the main focus is on adult ‘sputum positive TB’. This is especially relevant in tribal communitities mostly living in inaccessible remote areas having poor access to health care facilities. We are presenting here a case of bilateral cervical lymphadenitis with multiple draining sinuses – a fourteen-year-old girl belonging to the high TB burden Saharia tribe in Madhya Pradesh. She was detected through active TB case finding under the ongoing Intensified TB control project in the area and was suceessfully treated as per National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) guidelines. The delay in treatment seeking in the present case is a matter of concern. The findings highlight the importance of focussing on childhood TB especially in high TB burden communities from resource limited settings.