DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjmcr.2025.v13i12.021

Pages: 2975-2981

Cervical lymph node tuberculosis (CLNT) is the most frequent form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly in endemic countries such as Morocco, where diagnosis may be challenging due to its nonspecific clinical presentation. This retrospective descriptive and analytical study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary characteristics of CLNT cases managed at the Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Diseases (CDTMR) of the Hay Hassani Prefecture in Casablanca. A total of 171 patients treated for CLNT between January and December 2024 were included. The mean age was 31.1 years, with a male predominance. General symptoms were present in most patients, and jugulo-carotid lymph node involvement was the most common localization. Cervical ultrasound systematically revealed necrotic and confluent lymphadenopathies with periadenitis in the majority of cases. GeneXpert MTB/RIF was performed in most patients, with a high positivity rate, particularly when fresh tissue samples were used, and histopathology confirmed granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis in nearly all cases. Chest radiography showed isolated lymph node involvement in most patients, with associated pulmonary tuberculosis in a minority. All patients received antituberculous therapy according to national guidelines, with good tolerance and rare adverse effects. Surgical intervention was required in selected cases, mainly for diagnostic confirmation or residual lesions. Clinical outcomes were favorable in over 96% of patients, with no reported deaths or confirmed therapeutic failures. These results confirm that CLNT remains a common condition in Morocco and highlight the essential role of combined clinical, imaging, bacteriological, and histological approaches in ensuring early diagnosis and optimal management.