Master Ghon Complex Pathology

To be considered a Ghon complex, the ipsilateral mediastinal hilar lymph nodes of the lung must be involved since these lymph nodes receive drainage from the Ghon focus.

The Ghon focus, which is part of the Ghon complex, occurs from a case of primary TB, where the bacillus causes an area of inflammation in the lung, leading to parenchymal caseating necrosis. Often, healing occurs and viable bacteria are housed, enclosed in a calcified shell, allowing the infection to be reactivated later.

This disease occurs typically in children due to their immature immune system which makes them more vulnerable to tuberculosis and more likely to progress to active or disseminated forms of the disease, such as miliary tuberculosis or tuberculous meningitis