Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

High-frequency Ultrasound Imaging of Mouse Cervical Lymph Nodes
Published on: July 25, 2015
Lymph node abscess caused by Francisella tularensis - a rare differential diagnosis for cervical lymph node swelling:
R Rothweiler1, M A Fuessinger2, R Schmelzeisen2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany. Rene.Rothweiler@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Background:
Cervical lymph node swelling is quite a common symptom mainly caused by infections in the face or as metastasis of a malignant tumor. In infection cases in particular, rare diseases should never be overlooked. With an incidence of 120 cases in the United States of America (USA) and approximately 25 cases in Germany per year, infection with the pathogen Francisella tularensis is one of these rare diseases that can cause massive lymph node swellings and might even be fatal.
Case Presentation:
The example of a healthy 67-year-old German woman who was treated at our university hospital presents a typical progression of a localized form of tularemia. The pathogen could be identified in a universal 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase chain reaction. Pathogen-specific treatment with lymph node abscess incision, daily rinsing of the abscess cavity, and orally administered antibiotic therapy with doxycycline could cure our patient completely without any remaining complications.
Conclusion:
In patients with cervical lymph node swelling caused by infection it is indispensable to perform specific identification of the pathogen for further local and specific antibiotic treatment. Possible infections with atypical bacteria like Francisella tularensis should never be ignored. Universal polymerase chain reactions are a suitable method for early detection of such rare pathogens.
Related Concept Videos
Detailed Structure and Function of Lymph Nodes
From a histological perspective, lymph nodes can be split into two main areas: the superficial cortex and the deep medulla. The outer cortex is populated by dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes, which are densely packed into follicles. When these B-lymphocytes are presented...
Node Analysis for AC Circuits
To unravel the complexities of this system, nodal analysis is employed, a powerful technique founded on Kirchhoff's current law (KCL), which remains valid for phasors. AC circuits can effectively be...
Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular...
Fluid Connective Tissues: Blood and Lymph
Blood
The blood flows through blood vessels— arteries, capillaries, and veins. Blood plasma is primarily made of proteins, solutes, and...
Nursing Diagnosis
The nursing diagnosis focuses on evidence-based...
Data Reporting and Recording

