Management of suppurative cervical lymphadenitis in a healthy 24-year-old man.

Unilateral suppurative cervical lymphadenitis is characterized by acute onset of 1 or more tender cervical lymph nodes and can lead to fever, cellulitis, abscess formation, and bacteremia. This form of lymphadenitis is usually caused by gram-positive bacteria. The present case details the treatment of a previously healthy 24-year-old man who presented with an acutely inflamed cervical lymph node. The patient did not respond to antibiotic monotherapy or combination antibiotics but recovered rapidly after methylprednisolone and osteopathic manipulative treatment were added to his care.