We report two unusual cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis mimicking metastatic lymph nodes from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Pre-operative ultrasonography of the cervical nodes suggested a metastasis with cystic necrosis and calcification in PTC patients, but permanent pathology revealed tuberculosis lymphadenitis after neck dissection. in cases suspicious for metastatic cervical nodes in patients with PTC, fine-needle aspiration cytology may be indicated for the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis lymphadenitis, especially in those who have experienced tuberculosis in the past.