Aim: The aim of this study was to review cases of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis with head and neck involvement, who presented at our clinic.
Materials and Methods: The data were analyzed of 60 patients. All the patients were examined in respect of age, gender, symptoms, comorbidities, the head and neck regions sampled, the tuberculin skin test, acid-resistant staining, tuberculosis culture results, and histopathology examination reports.
Results: The patients comprised 41(68.3%) females and 19(31.7%) males, at a male:female ratio of 1:2.1. The mean age of patients <18 years was 11.44 ±4.13 years, and the mean age of patients ˃18 years was 51.18 ±17.06 years. A statistically significant difference was determined between the age groups in respect of left-side region 1 and right-side region 4 (p<0.05). Involvement of neck regions 1-2 was determined more in patients aged <18 years, and lymph node involvement of neck regions 2-3-4-5 was determined more in patients aged >18 years. There was no effect of gender on neck regions (p˃0.05). Acid-resistant staining positivity was determined in only one. Of the patients with culture examinations, M. tuberculosis complex was produced in six.
Conclusion: If there are suspicious symptoms and findings in patients with a disease causing immunosuppression or who are using drugs that suppress the immune system, sampling must be performed to discount tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is seen more often in female patients. When persistent necrotic lymphadenopathy is present in the submandibular region, especially in young patients, tuberculosis should be considered.