This was once a common condition. It is more common amongst immigrants from the third world.
It was acquired after drinking milk from cattle with bovine tuberculosis.
There is primary infection of the tonsils and secondary infection of the cervical lymph nodes. The lymph nodes become matted together and progressively enlarged.
Cold abscesses eventually form and, if untreated, these will then drain onto the neck, leaving disfiguring scars.
Diagnosis is by excision biopsy and treatment involves antituberculous chemotherapy.
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