Supra-sternal notch tuberculous abscess: a report of three cases

Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge ; its clinical presentation can mimic a wide range of pathological conditio ns. Here we report on 3 female patients who presented with supra-sternal ma sses that were suspected clinically to be of thyroid origin. By use of fine -needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), they were proved to be tuberculous lesi ons involving the pre-tracheal lymph nodes. Serological examination for HIV -I/II was not reactive in the 3 patients. The patients responded well to a regimen of multi-drug therapy. It is concluded that extra-pulmonary tubercu losis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thyroid or para -thyroid swellings and that FNAC is a simple, quick and reliable procedure in the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculous lesions involving the neck.