A retrospective comparison of two drug regimens RHE2/RH10 and RHZ2/RH10 in the treatment of tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy

A retrospective radiographic comparison of two regimens, RHE2/RH10 (n = 32) and RHZ2/RH10 (n = 37), used in the treatment of tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy is reported. The two groups did not differ in age, pretreatment or post-treatment values. The rate of improvement in serial radiographs was compared between the two groups, each patient acting as his own control. There was no difference in the incidence of initial gland enlargement at 1 month, but at 2 months RHZ2/RH10 had less enlargement (0.05 greater than P greater than 0.01). The rate of improvement was faster in the RHZ2/RH10 group from 2-7 months' treatment, being significantly better than RHE2/RH10 at 2 (P = 0.003), 5 (0.01 greater than P) and 7 months (0.02 greater than P). Pyrazinamide (25-40 mg/kg) appears to be superior to ethambutol 15 mg/kg for the initial 2 months of treatment of tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The findings may be applicable to peripheral tuberculous lymphadenopathy.