Lymphangitis overview

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Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Causes

Pathophysiology

Differentiating Lymphangitis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

X Ray

CT

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Prevention

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vishal Devarkonda, M.B.B.S[2]

Overview

Lymphangitis is an inflammation of the lymphatic channels. Lymphangitis is an ancient disease. The exact origins of the disease are not clearly known. There is no classification system established for lymphangitis. However, based on the etiology, lymphangitis can be broadly classified into infectious and non-infectious causes. The etiology varies depending on the clinical form of lymphangitis. Lymphangitis is inflammation of the lymphatic system, a system that is comprised of small vessels of the immune system that carry lymphatic fluid. The fluid is filtered in the lymph nodes and spleen, drained into the subclavian veins through thoracic duct and finally returned back to the circulatory system. Differential diagnosis of lymphangitis includes contact dermatitiscellulitisthrombophlebitisfasciitis and myositis. Incidence, prevalence and demographics of lymphangitis are poorly studied. Trauma, chronic disorders and infections of the skin are the common risk factors involved in the development of lymphangitis. Depending on etiology, lymphangitis has a broad spectrum of natural history, complications, prognosis, clinical presentation and physical findings. The presence of certain non-specific laboratory findings, in the presence of lymphangitis, may be suggestive of certain underlying causes. Examples of tests that may demonstrate abnormal findings include CBCESRCRP, and serology titers. The mainstay of therapy in lymphangitis is antimicrobial therapy. Supportive therapy includes analgesicsanti-inflammatory agents, and warm compresses. Surgery is indicated in certain cases of nodular lymphangitis that are complicated by abscess and lymphedema in addition to appropriate medical therapy. There is no established primary prevention for lymphangitis.

Historical Perspective

Lymphangitis is an ancient disease. The exact origins of the disease are not clearly known. Specific historical perspective for individual infections are discussed in detail separately.

Classification

There is no classification system established for lymphangitis. Based on the etiology, lymphangitis can be broadly classified into:

  • Lymphangitis due to infectious etiology
  • Lymphangitis due to non-infectious etiology

Causes

The etiology varies depending on the clinical form of lymphangitis.

Pathophysiology

Lymphangitis is inflammation of the lymphatic system, a system that is comprised of small vessels of the immune system that carry lymphatic fluid. The fluid is filtered in the lymph nodes and spleen, drained into the subclavian veins and finally returned back to the circulatory system.

Differentiating Lymphangitis from other Diseases

The presentation of red streaks on the skin in lymphangitis can also be a presentation of conditions such as contact dermatitis, cellulitis, thrombophlebitis, fasciitis and myositis. Clinical findings like red linear streaks proximal to a distal site of infection, tender regional lymphadenopathy and fever, along with a history suggestive of infection by causative organisms of lymphangitis helps in differentiating lymphangitis from other conditions.[1]

Epidemiology and Demographics

Incidence, prevalence and demographics of lymphangitis are poorly studied. Specific epidemiological and demo-graphical data for individual infections are discussed in detail separately.

Risk Factors

Trauma, chronic disorders and infections of the skin are the common risk factors involved in the development of lymphangitis.

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Depending on etiologies, lymphangitis has a broad spectrum of natural history, complication, and prognosis. Specific natural history, complications and prognosis for individual infections are discussed in detail separately.

History and Symptoms

Depending on etiologies, lymphangitis has a broad spectrum of clinical presentation. Specific history and symptoms for individual infections are discussed in detail separately.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Physical Examination

Depending on etiologies, lymphangitis has spectrum of physical findings. Specific physical examination findings for individual infections are discussed in detail separately.[1][4][5][6][7][8][2][9]

Laboratory Findings

There are no diagnostic lab findings associated with lymphangitis. The presence of certain non-specific laboratory findings, in the presence of lymphangitis, may be suggestive of certain underlying causes. Examples of tests that may demonstrate abnormal findings include CBC, ESR, CRP, and serology titers.[1]

X-Ray

There are no diagnostic X-ray findings associated with lymphangitis.

CT

There are no diagnostic CT findings associated with lymphangitis.

Other Diagnostic Studies

There are no other diagnostic findings associated with lymphangitis.

Medical Therapy

The mainstay of therapy in lymphangitis is antimicrobial therapy. Supportive therapy includes analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, and warm compresses. Specific anitmicrobial treatment for individual infections are discussed in detail separately.

Surgery

Certain cases of nodular lymphangitis that are complicated by abscess and lymphedema require surgical intervention in addition to appropriate medical therapy.

Secondary Prevention

Lymphangitis is most often caused by recurrent skin infections due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococci and prophylactic administration of antibiotics can reduce the risk of these skin infections complicating into lymphangitis.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 lymphanitis Mandell, GERALD L. "Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's." Principles and practice of infectious diseases 7 (1995) Accessed on October 12,2016
  2. 2.0 2.1 lymphanitis "Dennis Kasper, Anthony Fauci, Stephen Hauser, Dan Longo, J. Larry Jameson, Joseph Loscalzo"Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19e Accessed on October 12,2016
  3. Füeßl HS (2016). "[Emergency checklist: Acute lymphangitis]". MMW Fortschr Med. 158 (11): 65. doi:10.1007/s15006-016-8384-9. PMID 27271418.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Kostman JR, DiNubile MJ (1993). "Nodular lymphangitis: a distinctive but often unrecognized syndrome". Ann Intern Med. 118 (11): 883–8. PMID 8480962.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Schubach A, Barros MB, Wanke B (2008). "Epidemic sporotrichosis". Curr Opin Infect Dis. 21 (2): 129–33. doi:10.1097/QCO.0b013e3282f44c52. PMID 18317034.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Chung E, Pulitzer MP, Papadopoulos EB, Papanicolaou GA, Babady NE, Marchetti MA (2015). "Lymphangitic papules caused by Nocardia takedensis". JAAD Case Rep. 1 (3): 126–8. doi:10.1016/j.jdcr.2015.03.001. PMC 4808715. PMID 27051706.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Taylor MJ, Cross HF, Ford L, Makunde WH, Prasad GB, Bilo K (2001). "Wolbachia bacteria in filarial immunity and disease". Parasite Immunol. 23 (7): 401–9. PMID 11472559.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Taylor MJ, Hoerauf A, Bockarie M (2010). "Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis". Lancet. 376 (9747): 1175–85. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60586-7. PMID 20739055.
  9. Bruce DM, Heys SD, Eremin O (1996). "Lymphangitis carcinomatosa: a literature review". J R Coll Surg Edinb. 41 (1): 7–13. PMID 8930034.

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