Prospective randomized study of six months' chemotherapy and nine months' chemotherapy for cervical lymph node tuberculosis

Background: Tuberculous lymphadenitis is one of the most common forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. It was recently reported that the treatment for tuberculous lymphadenitis could be shortened to 6 months without increasing the risk of a relapse. However, there is no report of a prospective randomized study on the use of 6-month chemotherapy with HERZ for cervical lymphadenitis, which is regimen recommended in the areas concerned with the initial drug resistance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the 6-month regimen with HERZ for cervical lymphadenitis in areas where there is a high prevalence of drug resistance in Korea. Method: From January 1997 to February 2002, 92 patients with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis were recruited from Kyungpook national university hospital. Forty-six patients were given the 6-month regimen (2HERZ/4HER) and the other forty-six patients were given the 9-month regimen(2HERZ/7HER). Result: Of the 46 patients given the 6-month regimen, 5 had residual lymph nodes greater than 5 mm after the completion of treatment and 3 had new lymph nodes or an increased lymph node size during the follow-up period. Of the 46 patients in the 9-month regimen, 9 had residual lymph nodes and 8 had new events during the follow-up period. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that the 6-month HERZ regimen can be used safely as the initial treatment for tuberculous lymphadenitis in areas with a similar prevalence of drug resistance.