BCG lymphadenitis: a report of eight cases.

An increase in incidence of regional lymphadenitis following BCG vaccination of newborns at King Abdel Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh has been observed. Eight cases are described. One case also had infraclavicular gland enlargement. The only change in routine was the introduction of a Japanese strain of BCG. It is suggested that this might be a cause for the increase in the condition. All patients were given isoniazid. Discharge and scar formation followed aspiration in five cases, whereas in the two cases subjected to surgical excision there was uncomplicated healing. It is suggested that the latter combined with antituberculous therapy may be a more satisfactory form of treatment.