Biopsy and culture of the cervical lymph nodes were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 

Tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis is the most common manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and is a frequent cause of peripheral lymphadenitis in the developing world.

CT appearances of tuberculous lymphadenitis are variable, depending on the degree of caseation present in the node. Nodes may initially appear merely enlarged, often with attenuation similar to muscle. Eventually, central caseation develops and the nodes become centrally low density and eventually frankly cystic. They are, usually, matted together with only minor surrounding inflammatory change.