Revisiting Scrofula: An Entity Not to Forget in Migrants' Health

Cureus. 2023 Jun 5;15(6):e40012. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40012. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBL) is one of the most common presentations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). The particularity of this presentation is the difficulty in establishing a definitive diagnosis, as clinical manifestations and imaging may be unspecific. We describe a case of tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis in a young male from Pakistan, a high-burden tuberculosis country. We intend to raise awareness of this entity, given the high index of suspicion required to diagnose it, which can lead to delays in appropriate treatment, potentially increasing the morbidity and mortality of affected patients. Increased awareness is especially important in immigrants, in whom tuberculosis cases continue to increase, exposing the need for easy and equitable access to healthcare. A brief review of the subject is also presented.

Keywords: extrapulmonary tuberculosis; lymph node; lymphadenitis; migrants; tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports