Lymphadenopathy Flashcards
Lymph nodes. Found generally where? Contain what? Do what?
Found throughout the body along the course of the lymphatic vessels
Lymph nodes are populated by macrophages, dendritic cells, B lymphocytes, and T lymphocytes.
Participate in antigen processing, antigen presentation, antigen recognition, and proliferation of effector B and T lymphocytes as part of the normal immune response
Lymph nodes enlargement
Proliferation of WBCs inside of lymph nodes leads to lymph node enlargement.
In young children, palpable lymphadenopathy is the rule.
In adults, lymph nodes larger than 1 to 2cm in diameter are generally considered abnormal. (except for groin, where they can be bigger normally)
2 types of lymphadeonopathy
Local lymphadenopathy reflects the area those lymph nodes drain
Generalized lymphadenopathy occur with a systemic disorders
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Anterior– usually benign
Localized strep or staph infections, rubella, dental
Systemic infections: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus infection, or toxoplasmosis
Posterior – could be benign, but malignancy is more common than with anterior lymph nodes
EBV infection, tuberculosis, lymphoma, or head and neck malignancy
Supraclavicular
lymphadenopathy
High risk for malignancy
Right:
Cancer of mediastinum, lungs or esophagus
Left (Virchow’s node): Abdominal malignancy (stomach, gall bladder, pancreas, kidneys, testicles, ovaries, or prostate)
Axillary
lymphadenopathy
Drain arm, thoracic wall, and breast.
Infections
- Cat scratch disease
- Cellulitis
Cancer
- Breast
- Other metastasis
Silicone breast implants
( may cause both supraclavicular and axillary lymphadenopathy)
Epitrochlear
lymphadenopathy
Not normally palpable Infections of the forearm or hand Lymphoma Sarcoidosis Tularemia Secondary syphilis.
Inguinal lymphadenopathy
Lower extremity infection
Sexually transmitted diseases
Cancer
- Skin of the lower extremities and trunk
- Cervix, vulva, and ovary
- Rectum and anus
- Penis
Mediastinal.
lymphadenopathy
Infectious
- TB, fungal infection, anthrax
Neoplastic
- Lymphoma, lung cancer, germ cell tumor
Other
- Sarcoidosis
Retroperitoneal.
lymphadenopathy
Infectious
- TB
Neoplastic
- Lymphoma, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, upper GI malignancy
Other
-Sarcoidosis
Mesenteric lymphadenopathy
Infectious
- Appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, Whipple’s disease
Neoplastic
- Lymphoma, GI cancer
Other
- Inflammatory bowel disease, panniculitis
GENERALIZED LYMPHADENOPATHY: HIV
Nontender.
Primarily axillary, cervical, and occipital nodes
Usually develops during the second week of acute symptomatic HIV infection.
The nodes then decrease in size but a modest degree of adenopathy persists.
GENERALIZED LYMPHADENOPATHY: mycobacterial infection
Can present with lymphadenopathy alone, especially in the neck (scrofula)
M. tuberculosis in adults
Atypical mycobacteria (M. avium complex and M. scrofulaceum) in kids
Nontender
Enlarge over weeks to months without prominent systemic symptoms
Can progress to matting and fluctuation
GENERALIZED LYMPHADENOPATHY Infectious Mono
Triad of fever, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy.
Symmetric enlargement
Posterior cervical more than anterior cervical
Axillary and inguinal are common too (as opposed to other causes of pharyngitis
Lymphadenopathy peaks in the first week and then gradually subsides over two to three weeks
GENERALIZED LYMPHADENOPATHY: other mono-like diseases
Cytomegalovirus human herpes virus 6 human immunodeficiency virus adenovirus, herpes simplex virus Streptococcus pyogenes Toxoplasma gondii