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Chinese Journal of Antituberculosis ›› 2026, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (4): 429-447.doi: 10.19982/j.issn.1000-6621.20250509

• Guideline·Standard·Consensus • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of superficial lymph node tuberculosis with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine

  

  1. Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine;The Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine;Senior Department of Tuberculosis,the 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital;the Ulcerology Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine
  • Received:2025-12-12 Online:2026-04-10 Published:2026-04-02
  • Supported by:
    Niu Xiaohong National Master TCM Expert Inheritance Studio Construction Project (Guo Zhongyiyao Renjiao Han 〔2022〕75);National Project for the Construction of Advantageous Specialties in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Guo Zhong Yao Yi Zheng Han〔2024〕 No.90);Nanjing Health Science and Technology Development Special Fund Project(YKK20160);Project of the “National Science and Technology Major Project of the 13th Five-Year Plan”(2018ZX10725-509)

Abstract:

Developing high-quality clinical guidelines is not only essential for improving the overall standard of healthcare services but also crucial for reducing medical costs and patient burden,thereby promoting rational utilization of healthcare resources. The Chinese Medical Association published Clinical Practice GuidelinesTuberculosis and Clinical Practice GuidelinesSurgery in 2005 and 2006,respectively,which included western medical diagnosis and treatment protocols for lymph node tuberculosis. The Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine issued Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of common surgical diseases in traditional Chinese medicine in 2012,containing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for scrofula. In 2023,the Chinese Anti-tuberculosis Association released Expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of superficial lymph node tuberculosis,marking the first time that integrated Chinese and Western medicine content was included. However,it provided limited details on TCM syndrome differentiation and standardized external treatment techniques,making it insufficient for guiding daily clinical decision-making in specialized departments and primary-level hospitals. In recent years,emerging research evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of superficial lymph node tuberculosis have accumulated,yet evidence-based guidelines integrating Chinese and Western medicine remain lacking. Therefore,led by Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,and jointly initiated by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine,the Eighth Medical Center of the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital,and the Ulcerology Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine,a multidisciplinary team was established. Using the GRADE methodology,an evidence-based Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of superficial lymph node tuberculosis with integrated Chinese and Western medicine was developed. The guidelines provide principle-based recommendations for clinical practice,covering disease definition,diagnosis and staging,TCM syndrome differentiation,with highlights on the advantages of integrated therapy,and also include the diagnosis and treatment of special populations. It aims to standardize diagnostic criteria,optimize integrated treatment pathways,and improve patient outcomes.

Key words: Scrofula, Tuberculosis,lymph nodes, Diagnosis, Therapeutic application, Consensus development conferences as topic

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