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.
Mounir Ben Jemaa practices in Sfax, Tunisia. Mr. Ben Jemaa is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Scrofula. His top areas of expertise are Scrofula, Brucellosis, Swimmer's Ear, and Malignant Otitis Externa.
Gokul Kathamuthu practices in Chennai, India. Mr. Kathamuthu is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Scrofula. His top areas of expertise are Scrofula, Lymphadenitis, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, and Strongyloidiasis.
Chakib Marrakchi practices in Sfax, Tunisia. Marrakchi is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Scrofula. Their top areas of expertise are Scrofula, Brucellosis, Swimmer's Ear, and Malignant Otitis Externa.
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: While drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB) disease in children currently requires four to six months of treatment, most children may be able to be cured with a shorter treatment of more powerful drugs. Shorter treatment may be easier for children to tolerate and finish as well as ease caregiver strain from managing treatment side effects and supporting children over many months. The primary objectiv...
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...
Published Date: November 10, 2024
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. 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.