Tuberculous lymphadenitis in the left axillary misdiagnosed as metastasis: A case report and review of literature

The TB LNs could show some performances similar to metastasis such as hypoechoic, tending to round and rich in blood. But there are some differences between TB and metastatic LN. 1) The hypo echoic TB LNs were homogenous with clear border and smooth edge. The metastatic ones usually have unsmooth edge with spicular or process. 2) Some lymph nodes with collapse and strip shaped hyper echoic areas could be detected in TB patient, that could coexistent with hypoechoic round LNs. 3) The distribution of the rich blood flow in the TB nodes was not distorted, but with branch-like shaped and distributed smoothly. It must be considered about some particular infections during the ultrasonic examinations of swelling LNs in axillary, especially there is no significant lump in the breasts.