Supra-sternal Notch Tuberculous Abscess: A report of three Cases
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Date
2015-11-26
Authors
Elhassan, Ahmed M.
Ibrahim, Muntaser E.
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Publisher
Oxford Journals
Abstract
Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge; its clinical presentation can mimic a wide range of pathological conditions. Here we report on 3 female patients who presented with supra-sternal masses that were suspected clinically to be of thyroid origin. By use of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), they were proved to be tuberculous lesions involving the pre-tracheal lymph nodes. Serological examination for HIV-I/II was not reactive in the 3 patients. The patients responded well to a regimen of multi-drug therapy. It is concluded that extra-pulmonary tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thyroid or para-thyroid swellings and that FNAC is a simple, quick and reliable procedure in the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculous lesions involving the neck.
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Keywords
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, supra-sternal abscess, tuberculosis, Sudan, case reports, differential diagnosis