Table 2.
Laboratory and radiological findings in children presenting with lymphadenitis
| Uncomplicated disease | Complicated disease | p | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 123 | n = 25 | |||
| Laboratory findings at presentation | ||||
| White cell count, mean (SD) | 18.3 (8.2) | 20.7 (6.6) | 0.171 | |
| Neutrophils, mean (SD) | 12.1 (7.4) | 14.3 (6.9) | 0.197 | |
| C-reactive protein, mean (SD) | 66.2 (64.3) | 104.8 (71.9) | 0.009 | |
| Laboratory findings at days 3–7 (maximum values) | ||||
| White cell count, mean (SD) | 13.7 (6.6) | 14.3 (5.4) | 0.828 | |
| Neutrophils, mean (SD) | 6.5 (4.8) | 10.8 (4.2) | 0.034 | |
| C-reactive protein, mean (SD) | 43.3 (36.4) | 46.8 (36.1) | 0.820 | |
| Acute kidney injury, n (%) | 0/116 (0.0) | 1/20 (5.0) | 0.015 | |
| Culture results | ||||
| Blood cultures – n (%) | 1/115 (0.9) | 1/23 (4.3) | 0.231 | |
| Organisms: | ||||
| Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus | 0/93 (0.0) | 1/23 (4.3) | - | |
| Group B Streptococcus | 1/115 (0.9) | 0/23 (0.0) | - | |
| Intra-operative cultures (tissue/pus/swabs)—n (%) | ||||
| Organisms: | ||||
| Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus | 7/11 (63.6) | 8/12 (66.7) | 0.886 | |
| Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus | 1/11 (9.1) | 0/12 (0.0) | 0.307 | |
| Group A Streptococcus | 3/11 (27.3) | 4/12 (33.3) | 0.765 | |
| Cultures for carriage (nose/throat swab)—n (%) | ||||
| Organisms: | 2/11 (18.2) | 2/3 (66.7) | 0.115 | |
| Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus | ||||
| Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus | 1/11 (9.1) | 0/1 (0.0) | 0.689 | |
| Group A Streptococcus | 8/11 (72.7) | 1/3 (33.3) | 0.561 | |
| Imaging findings | ||||
| Imaging performed (Y/N), n (%) | 100/123 (81.3) | 24/25 (96.0) | 0.070 | |
| Ultrasound | 94/100 (94.0) | 13/24 (54.2) | < 0.001 | |
| Computed tomography | 2/100 (2.0) | 11/24 (45.8) | < 0.001 | |
| Magnetic resonance imaging | 1/100 (1.0) | 0/24 (0) | 0.626 | |
| X-ray (lateral airway) | 3/100 (3.0) | 0/24 (0) | 0.394 | |
| Day of imaging, from presentation, mean (SD) | 0.8 (1.8) | 1.3 (1.4) | 0.238 | |
| Findings on imaging, n (%): | ||||
| Normal findings | 3/100 (3.0) | 0/24 (0) | 0.394 | |
| Lymphadenitis with necrotic centre | 22/100 (22.0) | 1/24 (4.2) | 0.044 | |
| Lymphadenitis without necrotic centre | 29/100 (29.0) | 1/24 (4.2) | 0.010 | |
| Lymphadenitis not specified | 46/100 (46.0) | 3/24 (12.5) | 0.002 | |
| Para- or retro-pharyngeal collection or abscess | 0/100 (0.0) | 23/24 (95.8) | < 0.001 | |
| Other (infectious arteritis) | 0/100 (0.0) | 1/24 (4.2) | 0.041 | |