Bilateral Cervical Lymphadenopathy- Need to Think Beyond Tuberculosis

Abstract

Any patient with bilateral lymphadenopathy especially in Indian subcontinent is regarded as suffering from tuberculosis unless proved otherwise. This sometimes leads to unwarranted delay in correct diagnosis and management if there is ignorance regarding other rarer etiologies. Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD) may present in the same manner and should always be kept on the back of the mind to help avoid unnecessary empirical anti-tuberculous therapy that is usually prescribed in so called difficult-to-diagnose tuberculosis infections.