Actinomyces-Induced Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Lymph Node Mimicking Scrofula

Background: Inflammatory pseudotumor is a rare condition characterized by an aberrant immunologic response that manifests as tumor-like masses in various anatomical locations. Two previous case reports described Actinomyces as a trigger for abdominal inflammatory pseudotumor (1, 2). Objective: To report what we believe is the first case of Actinomyces-induced inflammatory pseudotumor with primary lymph node involvement. Case Report: A 34-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus presented to an outpatient clinic with painful swelling on the left side of the neck, a 7-day history of temperatures up to 39.4 °C, and a 3-day history of cough. Her systemic lupus erythematosus was controlled with methotrexate and hydrochloroquine. She received antibiotic therapy for presumed lymphadenitis. © 2011 American College of Physicians.