Scrofuloderma

Alternative names:

tubercular cervical adenitis

Definition:

A tuberculous infection of the skin of the neck caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Scrofuloderma was prevalent in the past but is rarely seen now. The infection was thought to originate from cow's milk contaminated with M. tuberculosis. This organism caused infection in the lymph nodes of the neck (cervical lymph nodes) that enlarged and ulcerated through the skin of the neck producing draining sores. Healing resulted in significant scarring.

Inspection of dairy herds and pasteurization of milk have eliminated tuberculosis (TB) from the dairy herds in the United States and the likelihood of developing either TB or scrofuloderma from contaminated milk.