Lymph nodes are a structural component of the human lymphatic system, and their inflammation leads to a variety of body dysfunctions. There are cervical, intrathoracic, femoral, submandibular, supraclavicular, popliteal, inguinal and axillary lymph nodes, which largely determine the functionality of all internal systems. If there is inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck in an adult or a child, that is, they are enlarged, this is considered a dangerous symptom.
About diseases of the lymphatic system
Medicine knows a number of diseases, the development of which may be accompanied by acute lesions of the structures of the lymphatic system. They occur not only in adults, children can also become a victim of this dangerous symptomatology. Each disease is always combined with an inflammatory process, requires diagnosis and collection of anamnesis data.
Types of pathologies
The main ailments are:
- Regional lymphadenitis, which may result from trauma orexcessive activity of pathogenic microorganisms. With inflammation, the lymph nodes increase in size, begin to hurt, and accumulate pus. In this situation, surgical intervention is required.
- Lymphangitis is a disease that is characterized by inflammation of the vessels of the lymphatic system, often spreading to the lower body. There is severe pain, severe swelling is observed, the usual functionality of the limbs is disturbed.
- Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy is a dangerous pathology preceded by infections and viruses. This inflammatory process proceeds with complications that can lead to the development of oncological diseases.
Lymphadenitis: a brief description of the pathology
Lymphadenitis (ICD-10 code L04) is a specific or nonspecific inflammatory lesion of the lymph nodes. The disease is characterized by their soreness and increase, headache, weakness, malaise, fever. The inflammatory reaction in lymphadenitis is the barrier function of the lymphatic system, which limits the spread of infection throughout the body. Usually, a disease of the lymph nodes occurs as a complication of inflammation of a certain localization. Infectious pathogens penetrate into the regional lymph nodes with lymph that flows from the original purulent focus. In other cases, the disease occurs when the infection directly enters the lymphatic network through damaged mucous membranes or skin.
Causes of lymphadenitis
The causative agent of this disease of the lymph nodes is pyogenic flora -streptococci and staphylococci, as well as the toxins they secrete. They penetrate into the lymph nodes by hematogenous, lymphogenous or contact routes. The initial focus may be purulent wounds, boils, panaritiums, carbuncles, erysipelas, phlegmon, trophic ulcers, caries, thrombophlebitis, osteomyelitis. Local inflammatory processes are often accompanied by a regional form.
What is the cause of lymph node disease in children? This disease is often associated with influenza, chronic tonsillitis, otitis media, childhood infections, skin diseases. The cause of specific lymphadenitis is the causative agents of syphilis, tularemia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, plague, actinomycosis, anthrax, etc.
What are the main symptoms of lymphadenitis?
Acute non-specific process begins with pain in the region of regional lymph nodes and their enlargement. In hyperplastic and catarrhal forms, enlarged nodes are easily palpable, their pain is insignificant, general disorders are mild.
When suppurated, the knot becomes painful and dense, intoxication develops - loss of appetite, fever, headache, weakness. Local manifestations increase - edema and hyperemia in the area of the affected node, its contours become fuzzy. If the formed abscess is not opened in time, pus may come out or into neighboring tissues.
Lymphadenitis (according to ICD-10 - L04) in children passes with high fever, loss of appetite, malaise, sleep disturbance.
Treatment of such a pathology,like lymphadenitis
Hyperplastic and catarrhal acute lymphadenitis is usually treated conservatively. Antibiotic therapy is carried out based on the sensitivity of the flora, vitamin and UHF therapy. With a purulent process, it performs a surgical intervention, during which pus is removed, sanitation and drainage of the focus are carried out. Active detoxification treatment is also prescribed. In chronic disease of the lymph nodes of a non-specific type, therapy of the underlying disease is required.
A disease of the lymphatic system called lymphangitis
Lymphangitis - inflammation of the lymphatic capillaries and trunks of an acute or chronic nature, occurring secondarily, with purulent or inflammatory processes in the body. Lymphangitis is accompanied by painful swelling and hyperemia along the inflamed vessels, regional lymphadenitis, edema, high fever, chills, and weakness. With this disease of the lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels of different depths of localization and caliber can be affected. Most often observed with lymphangitis of the extremities, which is explained by their frequent microtrauma, a large number of microbial pathogens and peculiarities of lymph circulation.
Causes of lymphangitis
The disease occurs a second time, against the background of a deep or superficial purulent-inflammatory focus - a furuncle, an infected wound or abrasion, an abscess, phlegmon. The main pathogens in this case are beta-hemolytic streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, sometimes Proteus and Escherichia coli. Specific lymphangitisdue to the presence of tuberculosis in a patient.
Microbial agents get from the focus to the interstitial space, then to the lymphatic capillaries, and along the lymph flow to large lymph nodes and vessels. Reactive inflammation of the vascular walls is expressed in edema of the endothelium, an increase in its permeability, the occurrence of exudation, intravascular thrombosis, and fibrin clots. Such changes provoke lymphostasis - a disorder of local lymph circulation. With the progression of inflammation, purulent lymphangitis and melting of blood clots occur.
Symptoms of a pathology called lymphangitis
With this pathology, intoxication of the body is significantly expressed, which usually accompanies a severe inflammatory process. The patient has fever, chills, sweating, headache, weakness. Reticular lymphangitis occurs with the appearance of severe hyperemia of the skin surface around the infectious focus (wound, abscess) with an enhanced mesh pattern against the background of erythema. According to the clinical picture, lymphangitis resembles erysipelas, but redness is characterized by blurry boundaries, uncharacteristic of erysipelas.
A local sign of lymphangitis is the presence of red stripes on the skin along the lymphatic vessels passing to the regional lymph nodes. At the same time, swelling, soreness and compaction of the cords, tension of the surrounding tissues quickly develops.
With deep lymphangitis, hyperemia is not observed, but pain and swelling in the limb quickly increase. There is also severe painlymphedema develops.
The symptoms of chronic lymphangitis are usually blurred and are characterized by persistent edema due to blockage of deep lymphatic vessels and lymphostasis.
How to treat enlarged lymph nodes in this case?
What is the treatment for lymphangitis?
With acute lymphangitis, it is necessary to eliminate the main focus, through which inflammation is maintained in the lymphatic vessels. Treatment of wounds, opening of phlegmons, abscesses, felons, their sanitation and drainage is carried out. The affected limb is fixed in an elevated position. With lymphangitis, you can not massage and warm the inflamed area. Rubbing various ointments is also contraindicated. Drug therapy includes the use of antibiotics (cephalosporins, semi-synthetic penicillins, lincosamides, aminoglycosides), antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs, infusion treatment, ultraviolet blood irradiation.
In case of sluggish chronic lymphangitis, local dressings with ointments, compresses with dimethyl sulfoxide or semi-alcohol, UVI, mud therapy are prescribed.
Even with what diseases do lymph nodes increase?
Why is lymphadenopathy dangerous?
The disease angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy is a specific lesion that currently does not have a specific place in the classification of diseases of the lymphatic tissues. This syndrome, in its rapidly progressive course and clinical picture, resembles lymphosarcoma and lymphogranulomatosis. However, based on histological studies of tissue andthe study of biopsy material signs of a malignant process does not occur. Many researchers point out that morphological changes have common features with graft-versus-host reactions; angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy is regarded as an immunoproliferative or hyperergic reaction to an endo- or exogenous antigen. Based on these data, etiological factors for the occurrence of this disease are distinguished in a number of patients.
Main causes of lymphadenopathy
It has been established that this pathology occurs as a result of long-term use of such medicinal substances as aspirin, oletethrin, ampicillin, penicillin, psychotropic drugs, as well as after vaccination against smallpox. Prolonged sensitization leads to an immunoproliferative reaction. However, in most patients it is impossible to identify the etiological factors of the disease.
Today, in the medical literature there are indications of the transition of this disease to the immunoblastic true form of lymphosarcoma. Due to the fact that angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy very often turns into lymphosarcoma, many medical specialists consider this pathology as a stage preceding the development of a malignant tumor.
This disease of the lymphatic system mainly affects the elderly, but there are cases of pathology in children.
What are the symptoms of lymphadenopathy?
As a rule, the pathological process occurs acutely, which is accompanied byworsening condition. The patient develops a sharp lethargy, weakness, headache, the temperature rises to 38-39 °C. The febrile state has a permanent character, subfebrile condition is less often observed. Against this background, the vast majority of patients have enlarged lymph nodes. A generalized increase in nodes is more characteristic, but peripheral local lymphadenopathy is possible, which is asymptomatic for a long time. The pathological process involves mediastinal and peripheral lymph nodes, as well as those located in the abdominal cavity. They are not soldered to neighboring tissues, mobile, do not have a tendency to fester.
Many patients have a skin rash similar to hives, which is accompanied by occasional itching. The skin is moderately hyperemic, there are small papular elements and scratching. Sometimes there may be an increase in the spleen and liver, which reach large sizes. Damage to the lung tissue is extremely rare. They are mainly due to various infectious factors. At the peak of the disease, pronounced symptoms of intoxication appear. The cardiovascular system suffers - the patient develops tachycardia, systolic heart murmur, muffled tones. Patients often lack appetite, they are disturbed by profuse night sweats. Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, which often act as a cause of death. Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy is characterized by an aggressive acute course, and most patients die within1-2 years. But the cause of death is mainly infectious complications.
Treatment of lymphadenopathy
People suffering from this disease are prescribed corticosteroid drugs. In the absence of positive results from hormonal therapy, cytostatic drugs are prescribed - "Chlorbutin", "Cyclophosphan", "Vinblastine" - or intensive polychemotherapy is carried out according to the schemes of TsOPP, VAMP, TsVPP. An important role is played by measures aimed at preventing the development of infectious complications. This creates conditions for maximum sterility, treatment of mucous membranes and skin with bactericidal solutions. If infectious complications occur, antibiotics are prescribed.
We examined the names of diseases with inflammation of the lymph nodes.
