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Alternative names
Tuberculous adenitisDefinition Return to top
Scrofula is a tuberculous infection of the skin of the neck, most often caused by mycobacteria (including Mycobacteriumtuberculosis), in adults. In children, it is usually caused by Mycobacterium scrofulaceum or Mycobacterium avium.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Infection with mycobacteria is usually caused by inhaling air contaminated by these organisms. The bacteria spread throughout the body, and may cause rubbery enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck (cervical lymph nodes) as well as elsewhere. If these are not treated, the lymph nodes may become ulcerated, producing draining sores.Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
When infection is caused by Mycobacteriumtuberculosis, treatment is usually with 9 to 12 months of antibiotics. Several antibiotics need to be used at once, to avoid the bacterium becoming antibiotic-resistant. Common antibiotics for scrofula include:
When infection is caused by mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as is often seen in children, therapy usually involves antibiotics, such as rifampin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin.
Surgery is seldom necessary, and is reserved for cases where medical therapy is only partially effective.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Recovery is usually complete.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your provider if your child has a swelling or group of swellings in the neck. Scrofula can occur in children without exposure to someone with tuberculosis.Prevention Return to top
Prevention of tuberculosis requires identification of individuals with inactive or latent infection. This is done with a PPD or Tine test. Individuals who have been exposed to someone with tuberculosis of the lungs should have such a skin test performed.
Many occupations, such as nursing and medicine, require practitioners to get regular skin tests. Individuals who immigrate to the United States from areas of the world where tuberculosis is common are also screened with such skin tests.
Update Date: 7/16/2004 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |