Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of external application of Xihuang Gongjian Recipe on cervical lymph node tuberculosis and its safety.

Methods A total of 92 patients with cervical lymph node tuberculosis were randomly divided into control group and combined group, with 46 cases in each group. Patients in the control group were given anti-tuberculosis treatment, while those in the combined group were additionally given external application of Xihuang Gongjian Recipe on the basis of western medicine anti-tuberculosis treatment. The clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were observed, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the type of lymph node tuberculosis were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.

Results At one month of treatment, the total effective rate was 87.0% (40/46) in the combined group and 71.7%(33/46) in the control group, but no statistical significant difference was found(P>0.05). At two months of treatment, the total effective rate was 100.0% (46/46) in the combined group, which was higher than 87.0% (40/46) in the control group (P < 0.05). The lymph node tuberculosis type was mainly infiltrating type in the control group, and mainly abscess type in the combined group at one month of treatment, there was difference in the type of lymph node tuberculosis between the two groups(P < 0.05). The lymph node tuberculosis type was mainly infiltrating type in the control group, and mainly nodular type in the combined group after two months of treatment, there was statistical difference in the type of lymph node tuberculosis between the two groups(P < 0.05).

Conclusion Adjuvant external application of Xihuang Gongjian Recipe can significantly improve the clinical efficacy of cervical lymph node tuberculosis, and its function may be involved in promoting liquefaction and absorption of swollen lymphnodes.