Relevance of CBNAAT in the early diagnosis of suspected tubercular swelling

Background: Globally, tuberculosis is a prevalent disease, with an estimated 10.5 million cases. According to the World Health Organization, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affects tissues and organs outside the lungs and constitutes 20%–25% of all tuberculosis cases. The delayed diagnosis of this form of tuberculosis is expected due to challenges in obtaining representative samples and lower bacterial loads in the samples obtained. Despite the availability of various diagnostic tests, the current lack of a proper diagnostic algorithm poses a daily challenge for clinicians in accurately identifying extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) has emerged as a promising and faster option for diagnosis. In light of these issues, a study has been initiated to evaluate the manifestations of otorhinolaryngological tuberculosis and develop a protocol that enables early diagnosis of this specific form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The goal is to enhance the timely detection and management of otorhinolaryngological tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: During the study period, 39 samples were collected, and the research received ethical approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: Of the 39 cases examined, the sensitivity and specificity of CBNAAT were determined to be 78.3% and 100%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) was also 100%, whereas the negative predictive value was 20%. Conclusion: For any suspected neck swelling indicative of tuberculosis, CBNAAT should be the primary investigation. It offers ease of use, delivers faster results within a few hours, and boasts a 100% PPV.