Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Question 1

Definition of cervical lymphadenopathy

Answer 1

Abnormal enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck - a symptom of a wide range of pathologies

Question 2

Causes cervical lymphadenopathy - 3

Answer 2

Broadly categorized into:

acute infections
Chronic infections
malignancies

Question 3

investigations cervical lymphadenopathy - 4

Answer 3

FBC
Blood cultures if infection is suspected
Imaging studies
Biopsy

Question 4

How do different causes of cervical lymphadenopathy present - infection, primary malignancy and secondary malignancy

Answer 4

Infection – tender on touch, mobile (can move it under your fingers), recent rapid enlargement

Primary malignancy (lymphoma) - rubbery, painless on touch and fast growing

Secondary malignancy (mets have travelled to node) - hard, irregular surface, tethered to surrounding tissues, painless on touch