Nerve dysfunction following surgical treatment of cervical non-tuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children

Long-Term Esthetic Outcome of Different Treatment Modalities for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Cervicofacial Lymphadenitis

BACKGROUND

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) cervicofacial lymphadenitis is a rare infection which almost exclusively occurs in children, most commonly children 0-5 years old. It can leave scars in highly visible areas. The present study aimed to evaluate the long-term esthetic outcome of different treatment modalities for NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 92 participants with a history of bacteriologically proven NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis. All patients were diagnosed at least 10 years prior and were aged >12 years upon enrollment. Based on standardized photographs, the scars were assessed by subjects with the Patient Scar Assessment Scale, and by five independent observers with the revised and weighted Observer Scar Assessment Scale.

RESULTS

The mean age at initial presentation was 3,9 years and the mean follow-up time was 15.24 years. Initial treatments included surgical treatment (n = 53), antibiotic treatment (n = 29) and watchful waiting (n = 10). Subsequent surgery was performed in two patients, due to a recurrence after initial surgical treatment, and in 10 patients initially treated with antibiotic treatment or watchful waiting. Esthetic outcomes were statistically significantly better with initial surgery, compared to initial non-surgical treatment, based on patient scores of scar thickness, and based on observer scores of scar thickness, surface appearance, general appearance and the revised and weighted sum score of all assessment items.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term esthetic outcome of surgical treatment was superior to non-surgical treatment. These findings could facilitate the process of shared decision making.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Submandibular lymphadenitis due to Mycobacterium malmoense: first reported case from Greece

An 8-year-old girl with subacute submandibular lymphadenitis and no other complaints is described. After failure of parenteral antistaphylococcal therapy, she underwent incision and drainage of the involved lymph node. The responsible pathogen was identified as Mycobacterium malmoense by GenoType CM assay and sequencing of the 16S ribosomalRNA (rRNA) gene. The patient remains healthy, 11 months after surgery, even though it took approximately 4 months for the surgical incision to heal completely. While M. malmoense is a relatively common cause of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lymphadenitis in Northern Europe, this is the first reported case from Greece. We conclude that in a young child with lymphadenitis without systemic symptoms, the microbiology laboratory should be notified in advance in order to extend the duration of mycobacterial cultures. Application of molecular methods will increase the number of reported cases of rare NTM in the future.

Surgical treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children: Our experience and a narrative review

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis (NTML) accounts for about 95% of the cases of head-and-neck mycobacterial lymphadenitis, and its prevalence has been increasing in the Western world. The diagnostic work-up can be challenging, and differential diagnoses such as tuberculous and suppurative lymphadenitis need to be considered. It may, therefore, not be diagnosed until the disease is in a late stage, by which time it becomes locally destructive and is characterized by a chronically discharging sinus. The treatment options include a medical approach, a wait-and-see policy, and surgery, with the last being considered the treatment of choice despite the high risk of iatrogenic nerve lesions. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of pediatric, head-and-neck NTML based on the literature and our own experience, with particular emphasis on the impact and limitations of surgery.

Does Clarithromycin Cause Hearing Loss? A 12-Year Review of Clarithromycin Therapy for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lymphadenitis in Children

OBJECTIVE(S)

The objective was to describe the characteristics of hearing losses documented in patients treated with clarithromycin alone for nontuberculous mycobacterial NTM lymphadenitis in a pediatric tertiary care center over a 12-year period.

METHODS

An institutional review board (IRB) approval was obtained. A database search was performed using the ICD-10 diagnosis codes 31.0, 31.1, and 31.8 between January 2004 and January 2017. A REDCap database was created to record variables. Patients were included if they received clarithromycin alone and had, at the minimum, a baseline audiology assessment, and 1 further evaluation during treatment. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze categorical variables, and Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to analyze continuous variables.

RESULTS

A total of 167 patients with cervicofacial NTM were identified. Of them, 42 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Three children (7%) developed a hearing loss (HL) between 25 and 63 days after starting treatment. HL was unilateral in 2 children. HL persisted in 1 child following cessation of treatment. However, this patient had Rubinstein Taybi syndrome, limiting our ability to attribute the HL solely to clarithromycin.

CONCLUSION

We noted a 7% hearing loss rate in our series. Confounding issues, such as 1 patient with a syndrome potentially contributing to HL, and limitations to this study, including retrospective design and loss to follow-up, temper our ability to conclude that clarithromycin was the sole cause of these HL. However, enough supporting data for a role in clarithromycin causing HL exist that testing should be considered for patients undergoing long-term clarithromycin treatment.

Surgical treatment for chronic cervical lymphadenitis in children. Experience from a tertiary care paediatric centre on non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections

OBJECTIVES

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria are the most frequent cause of chronic lymphadenitis in children. We reviewed treatment and outcomes of paediatric patients with chronic cervical lymphadenitis, to better understand their differential diagnosis, surgical indication, complication and recover.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out on children who underwent surgery from 2013 to 2016 at Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy. Time to cure, type of surgery, and complications rate were determined and etiologic agents were identified and correlated to their clinical presentation.

RESULTS

275 children were evaluated. Nearly 98% of the patients were cured regardless of which therapeutic option was used and surgery was necessary in 38.2% of children. Complete excisional biopsy ensured recover in 97.7% of patients compared with the non-excisional surgical group 88.2% (p = 0.06). Re-interventions were needed in the 2.3% of complete excision group and in two cases of the incision and drainage group; all of them developed fistula and were caused by Mycobacterium avium complex. Excision followed by adjunctive antibiotic therapy was favoured in the majority of the patients (80.1%, n = 71).

CONCLUSION

In cases of non-tuberculous mycobacteria lymphadenitis, surgery is the treatment of choice and it is closely related to a favourable prognosis.

Complex nontuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis: What is the optimal approach?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Assess the role of combined antimicrobial and surgical therapy for difficult-to-treat nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lesions of the head and neck in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

METHODS

Retrospective review of pediatric head and neck NTM lesions at a tertiary children's hospital from 1999 to 2012.

RESULTS

Seventy-one children were diagnosed with NTM lesions. Age of presentation ranged between 7 and 204 months of age. Most patients (62%) had multiple lesions. Treatments included incision and drainage, curettage, antibiotics, excision, and any combination of surgery and antibiotics. Upon initial presentation, the most common treatment was surgical excision alone (n = 34) with a high complication rate (50%). In 18 cases, patients were initially treated with a combination of antibiotics and surgical excision due to the extent or location of the lesion(s). Complication rate in these patients was also high (67%). The most common complications in surgically excised NTM lesions included temporary or persistent facial nerve dysfunction (24.6%), poor wound healing/scarring (10.8%), and Frey's syndrome (6.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical excision with or without medical therapy for NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis in high-risk regions commonly resulted in marginal mandibular nerve dysfunction (24.6%). Postoperative facial nerve weakness generally resolved within a year. High rates of complications and a lack of proven best approaches suggest tailoring the approach to address the potential risks in that particular patient based on location and severity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 126:1677-1680, 2016.

The management of non-tuberculous cervicofacial lymphadenitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Cervicofacial lymphadenitis is the most common manifestation of infection with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in immunocompetent children. Although complete excision is considered standard management, the optimal treatment remains controversial. This study reviews the evidence for different management options for NTM lymphadenitis.

METHODS

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed including 1951 children from sixty publications. Generalised linear mixed model regressions were used to compare treatment modalities.

RESULTS

The adjusted mean cure rate was 98% (95% CI 97.0-99.5%) for complete excision, 73.1% (95% CI 49.6-88.3%) for anti-mycobacterial antibiotics, and 70.4% (95% CI 49.6-88.3%) for 'no intervention'. Compared to 'no intervention', only complete excision was significantly associated with cure (OR 33.1; 95% CI 10.8-102.9; p < 0.001). Complete excision was associated with a 10% risk of facial nerve palsy (2% permanent). 'No intervention' was associated with delayed resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete excision is associated with the highest cure rate in NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis, but also had the highest risk of facial nerve palsy. In the absence of large, well-designed RCTs, the choice between surgical excision, anti-mycobacterial antibiotics and 'no intervention' should be based on the location and extent of the disease, and acceptability of prolonged time to resolution.

Comparison of Mycobacterium lentiflavum and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex lymphadenitis

BACKGROUND

Mycobacterium lentiflavum is considered a rare pathogen causing nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lymphadenitis.

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective study was performed in immunocompetent children <14 years of age with microbiologically confirmed NTM lymphadenitis treated at 6 hospitals in Madrid, Spain, during 2000-2010. We compared children with M. lentiflavum and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex infection.

RESULTS

Forty-five microbiologically confirmed NTM lymphadenitis patients were identified: 19 (45.2%) caused by M. avium-intracellulare complex, 17 (40.5%) by M. lentiflavum, 1 by both and 5 by other mycobacteria. Out of 17 M. lentiflavum cases, 14 were diagnosed in the past 5 years. Regarding M. lentiflavum cases, median age was 23 months. Submandibular nodes were the most frequently involved (76.5%), with multiple locations seen in 41% of the children and spontaneous drainage in 41% of them. Drug susceptibility tests were performed in 14 isolates and showed a complete susceptibility to clarithromycin and cycloserine, whereas 93% were resistant to rifampin, 33% to quinolones and full resistance to other tested antimycobacterial drugs was detected. All but 1 child required surgery and 11 were treated additionally with various drug combinations. Total resolution was achieved in 50% of children within 6 months.Compared with M. avium-intracellulare complex cases, children were younger and laterocervical nodes were significantly less frequently involved. No statistically significant differences were found related to clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

M. lentiflavum is an emerging pathogen producing NTM lymphadenitis in Madrid.