Lymphadenopathy (patient information)
|
Lymphadenopathy |
|
Lymphadenopathy On the Web |
|---|
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Lymphadenopathy is disease of the lymph nodes. It is, however, almost synonymously used with "swollen/enlarged lymph nodes". When the infection is of the lymph nodes themselves, it is called lymphadenitis.
What are the symptoms of Lymphadenopathy ?
Most of the times lymphadenopathy is an incidental finding in physical examination.
Sometimes they present as lump in the neck (e.g in tumors, sarcoidosis).
Lymphandenitis presents as: Red, tender skin over lymph node. Swollen, tender, or hard lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes may feel rubbery if an abscess has formed.
What causes Lymphadenopathy ?
The most common causes of lymphadenopathy include:
- Acute infections (e.g. bacterial, or viral)
- Chronic infections (e.g tuberculous lymphadenitis, cat-scratch disease). Infectious mononucleosis is an acute viral infection, the hallmark of which is marked enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes.
- Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease, gives a generalized lymphadenopathy
- Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia, give lymphadenopathy in all or a few lymph nodes
- Metastasis
- Sarcoidosis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- AIDS - generalized lymphadenopathy is an early sign of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). "Lymphadenopathy syndrome" has been used to describe the first symptomatic stage of HIV progression, preceding AIDS-related complex and full-blown AIDS.
Diagnosis
The health care provider will perform a physical exam, which includes feeling your lymph nodes and looking for signs of injury or infection around any swollen lymph nodes.
A biopsy and culture of the affected area or node may reveal the cause of the inflammation. Blood cultures may reveal spread of infection to the bloodstream