A Rare Encounter of Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis (Scrofula) in an Immunocompetent Adolescent Female: A Case Report

Authors

Ifeanyi K. Uche, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Sagar Kansara, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Catherine S. O'Neal, Clinical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge, USA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2025

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health concern. While it primarily affects the lungs, TB can also present in extrapulmonary forms, with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTL) or scrofula being the most common. Herein, we report a case of a 19-year-old female with a six-month history of progressively enlarging left-sided neck swelling. The patient was diagnosed with CTL. Diagnosing extrapulmonary TB can be challenging. In cases like ours, excisional biopsy or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology with acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, culture, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis is critical for diagnosis. Our case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion to differentiate mycobacterial infection from other causes of lymphadenopathy, particularly in immunocompetent adolescent patients.

First Page

e83428

PubMed ID

40462778

Issue

5

Recommended Citation

Uche, Ifeanyi K.; Kansara, Sagar; and O'Neal, Catherine S., "A Rare Encounter of Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis (Scrofula) in an Immunocompetent Adolescent Female: A Case Report" (2025). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 3891.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/3891
10.7759/cureus.83428