Background Non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) constitute an important cause of cervical lymphadenitis in immunocompetent children. The aims of this study were to estimate the incidence of lymphadenitis due to NTM in children in Cyprus and to describe the characteristics, diagnostic approach, management and outcome of such infections. Methods Children aged 1–5 years old, evaluated at Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus, from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2016 for lymphadenopathy, were included in the study. All children had positive lymph node culture for NTM. Results A total of 22 cases of culture‐positive lymphadenitis caused by NTM were reviewed. Patient age ranged from 16 to 55 months. Tuberculin skin test produced an induration in 81.0% of cases (diameter, 4–17 mm). Mycobacterium avium was isolated in 17 cases (77.3%), M. intracellulare in three (13.6%), M. paraffinicum in one (4.5%) and M. kansasii in one case (4.5%). All 22 patients underwent surgical excision of affected nodes. Additional anti‐mycobacterial treatment was given when complete excision was not achieved or for post‐surgical recurrence. Complications were few and included scar in three children and one case of transient facial nerve palsy. Conclusion Surgical excision of NTM‐infected lymph nodes is an effective diagnostic and therapeutic approach. When total surgical excision is not feasible, a combination of partial excision with a clarithromycin‐including drug regimen appears safe, effective and causes milder and fewer complications than surgery alone.

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Results: Difference of incidence rates between the pre-war (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998) and the first post-war period (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003) for the entire territory of Kosovo shows that leukemia increased by 12.63% whereas between prewar and last post war period by 68.95% (Table 1). Region of Gjakova and Peja, the first and third most exposed regions to DU ordnance (7.73 rounds/km 2 and 4.78 rounds/km 2 respectively) ranked first and second in difference in leukemia incidence whereas Prishtina, Gjilan and Ferizaj, regions with the least number of rounds/km2, were characterized by declining in incidence rates of leukemia. After 15 years, still the difference in leukemia between pre-war period and the last post-war period remains larger in Gjakova and Peja. In the first post-war period (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003), significant moderate Spearman correlation was found between the DU rounds/km2 and cases of leukemia (Figure 1). Figure 1. Correlation between rounds/km2 and annual average incidence rates by municipalities for leukemia in the period 2000-2003. Data was analysed using the Spearman correlation test and significance accepted when p < 0.05. Summary/Conclusion:The rise in incidence of leukemia in Kosovo may be partially induced by the use of DU during the war, but further studies are needed to explore this.