Long-term outcome of surgical excision for treatment of cervicofacial granulomatous lymphadenitis in children

Granulomatous inflammation is a common cause of subacute cervicofacial lymphadenitis in children. Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections and cat-scratch disease (CSD) are the most frequent causes. Optimal treatment, which may include surgery, antibiotic treatment or wait-and-see approach, is debatable. The goal of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcome of various surgical procedures. Case series with a chart review of all children treated by surgical excision of granulomatous lymph nodes in the cervicofacial area from 2000 to 2016 at two tertiary care centers. Forty patients were included in this study. The median age at first symptoms was 3.7 years (13 months–14 years). Mean follow-up was 5.8 years (6 months–15.3 years). 25 patients fit with diagnosis of NTM infection, 6 with CSD while diagnosis remained uncertain in 9 patients. The primary surgical procedure consisted of total excision (n = 27), incision/drainage (n = 9) or incomplete excision (n = 4). None of the patients treated by primary complete excision needed further intervention contrary to the group of patients with incomplete surgical procedures where additional surgical management was required in 54%. At follow-up, all patients were healthy without evidence of recurrence. We advocate early surgical intervention with complete excision to reach quick resolution and reduce the need for additional surgery. The long-term outcome was favorable.