ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aims emphasize oropharyngeal tularemia in the differential diagnosis of infected lymphadenopathy in the neck region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients (13 males, 7 females; mean age 23 years; range 9 to 43 years) diagnosed with tularemia among those who admitted to our clinic between October 2008 - October 2010 with the complaint of lymphadenopathy in the neck, and underwent treatment were included in this study. The radiological, microbiological, histopathological, and laboratory records of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients with lymphadenitis in neck who were diagnosed with tularemia came from rural areas. Twelve patients had a history of tonsillopharyngitis that pre-existed before the beginning of lymphadenitis or coexisted with lymphadenitis. All lymphadenopathies of the neck was localized in region II, without side predominance. All patients were diagnosed by serological testing. In 12 of the patients who developed abscesses, repeated puncture of the abscess was performed in addition to the medical treatment. Surgical drainage procedure was not applied any patient. CONCLUSION: The tularemia disease should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with neck lymphadenopathy.