Nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis of the head and neck: Radiologic observations and clinical context

Objective: To summarize the radiologic findings in our series of immunocompetent children with NTMA and to review the clinical and laboratory findings, as well as the treatment and clinical courses, in these patients. Materials and methods: We reviewed the computed tomographic (CT) studies, as well as the clinical courses of eleven patients with laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of NTMA, and recorded the anatomic locations of the affected lymph nodes. Results: In 10 of 11 patients, there were peripherally enhancing, centrally cystic nodes. In 7 of the patients, there was (usually mild) inflammation of the regional fat and overlying skin thickening. Adenopathy in the parotid and submandibular regions was most common, In 4 of the patients, there was more than one nodal group involved. Conclusion: In a child who presents with enlarging neck masses and with radiologically demonstrated centrally cystic nodal masses exhibiting relatively little mass effect or inflammatory change in the surrounding fat, the diagnosis of NTMA should be entertained.