[Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis: an analytical study and report on 12 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To understand the nasopharyngeal tuberculosis better.

METHOD

12 cases of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis collected from 1993 to 2000 were retrospectively analyzed and the clinical features were studied.

RESULT

Only one case had known the previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis(8.33%). Cervical lymphadenopathy was the most common presenting symptom in our series (9 cases, 75%). 9 cases were diagnosed as nasopharyngeal malignant tumors by mistake at the beginning (75%), Anti tuberculous medical treatment was successful in all patients after follow-up from 6 months to 2 years.

CONCLUSION

Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis may occur more frequently as part of an isolated upper respiratory tract infection than as secondary to pulmonary infection. It could get rise to cervical lymphadenopathy and should be taken into account when cervical lymphadenopathy is found. Nasopharyngeal malignant tumour is the most important disease in differential diagnosis for their similar clinical features. Antituberculous chemotherapy is usually effective.