NONTUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIAL INFECTIONS OF THE HEAD AND NECK

Ojective: To review the treatment and outcome of patients with nontube rculous mycobacterial infections of the head and neck. Design: Retrosp ective examination of the medical records of patients treated by sever al surgeons during a 5-year period with a minimum 6-month follow-up. S etting: Large teaching children's hospital. Patients: Twenty-six child ren hospitalized for treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial infecti ons of the head and neck. Main Outcome Measures: Resolution of infecti on, recurrence, and need for additional surgical intervention for cure . Results: Eleven patients initially were treated by incisional biopsy or incision and drainage procedures; eight patients developed recurre nce or a draining sinus tract, necessitating a second surgical procedu re. In contrast, 15 patients initially underwent complete excision; on ly one developed a recurrence (P<.01). Thus, eight (31%) of 26 patient s required at least two surgical procedures owing to inadequate initia l treatment. Conclusions: Excisional biopsy is both the diagnostic pro cedure and treatment of choice for nontuberculous mycobacterial adenit is.