Scrofula Overview
Learn About Scrofula
Scrofula is a tuberculosis infection of the lymph nodes in the neck.
Tuberculous adenitis; Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis; TB - scrofula
Scrofula is most often caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. There are other types of mycobacterium bacteria that may cause scrofula.
Scrofula is usually caused by breathing in air that is contaminated with mycobacterium bacteria. The bacteria then travel from the lungs to lymph nodes in the neck.
Symptoms of scrofula are:
- Fever (rare)
- Painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck and other areas of the body
- Sores (rare)
- Sweating
When infection is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, treatment usually involves 9 to 12 months of antibiotics. Several antibiotics need to be used at once. Common antibiotics for scrofula include:
- Ethambutol
- Isoniazid (INH)
- Pyrazinamide
- Rifampin
When infection is caused by another type of mycobacteria (which often occurs in children), treatment usually involves antibiotics such as:
- Rifampin
- Ethambutol
- Clarithromycin
Surgery is sometimes used first. It may also be done if the medicines are not working.
Fairview Clinics
Won Choi is a Family Medicine provider in Edina, Minnesota. Dr. Choi and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scrofula. His top areas of expertise are Flu, Shingles, COVID-19, Endoscopy, and Nephrectomy. Dr. Choi is currently accepting new patients.
William Stauffer is an Infectious Disease provider in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Stauffer and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scrofula. His top areas of expertise are Rhabditida Infections, Strongyloidiasis, Hookworm Infection, and Secernentea Infections. Dr. Stauffer is currently accepting new patients.
With treatment, people often make a complete recovery.
These complications may occur from this infection:
- Draining sore in the neck
- Scarring
Contact your health care provider if you or your child has a swelling or group of swellings in the neck. Scrofula can occur in children who have not been exposed to someone with tuberculosis.
People who have been exposed to someone with tuberculosis of the lungs should have a PPD test.
Summary: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that commonly affects the lung and is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The bacterium mostly affects people with impaired immunity TB becomes the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infectious diseases, following the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the commonest risk factor for developin...
Summary: 1. To prospectively collect the radiologic data from the initial phase till the post-treatment phase of tuberculous lymphadenitis. 2. To prospectively investigate the benefits of corticosteroid on reduction of paradoxical upgrading reaction in patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis based on the results of shear wave elastography. 3. To investigate the potential biomarker of host immunity in respo...
Published Date: November 10, 2024
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Tuberculosis (TB). www.cdc.gov/tb/index.html. Updated October 30, 2024. Accessed December 22, 2024.
Pasternack MS. Lymphadenitis and lymphangitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 95.
Wenig BM, Hernandez-Prera JC. Nonneoplastic lesions of the neck. In: Wenig BM, Hernandez-Prera JC, eds. Atlas of Head and Neck Pathology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 12.