ACID-FAST BACILLI IN ASPIRATION SMEARS FROM TUBERCULOUS LYMPH-NODES - AN ANALYSIS OF 255 CASES

  • 1 January 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (1) , 17-19
Abstract
An analysis of fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears from 255 patients with tuberculous lymphadenopathy was done. The aspirates were either purulent, cheesy or mixed with blood. A total of 56.4% of all cases aspirated showed acid-fast bacilli. Of the cases in which purulent material was aspirated, 66% were postivie for acid-fast bacilli. These findings stress the importance of doing Ziehl-Neelsen staining in smears of all cases suspected of being tuberculous in etiology, particularly when purulent material is aspirated.

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