Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
10:04
Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates
Published on: September 5, 2017
18.9K
Scrofuloderma and Miliary Tuberculosis in a 27-Year-Old Nurse
Francisco Javier Lugo Rincón-Gallardo1, Néstor Daniel Rodríguez Trujillo1, Azalea Guadalupe Altamirano De La Cruz2
1Internal Medicine, General Hospital of the Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers, Querétaro, MEX.
Cureus
|June 16, 2025
Summary
A previously healthy woman was diagnosed with disseminated tuberculosis, including lymph node, skin, and pulmonary involvement, after a prolonged diagnostic delay. Prompt treatment led to full clinical recovery.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in its extrapulmonary and disseminated forms.
- Diagnostic delays in TB can lead to severe morbidity and prolonged treatment courses.
- Scrofuloderma, a cutaneous manifestation of TB, often presents as a diagnostic challenge.
Observation:
- A 26-year-old female nurse presented with prolonged fever, cough, and a cervical nodule.
- Initial presentations were misdiagnosed, highlighting challenges in recognizing atypical TB.
- Physical examination revealed a cervical nodule with ulceration, suggestive of scrofuloderma.
Findings:
- Histopathology of the cervical nodule showed caseous necrosis.
- Chest imaging confirmed miliary tuberculosis.
- Polymerase chain reaction identified *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, confirming disseminated lymph node tuberculosis with scrofuloderma and pulmonary miliary TB.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering disseminated tuberculosis in patients with prolonged, non-specific symptoms and suggestive skin lesions.
- Early and accurate diagnosis through integrated clinical, imaging, and molecular methods is crucial for effective management.
- Successful treatment outcomes are achievable with appropriate anti-TB therapy, even in disseminated disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
459
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
459
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
249
Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
249
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
212
Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
212
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
335
Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
335
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
389
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
389
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders
915
Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
915