Inflammatory lesion of lymph nodes
An inflammatory lesion of the lymph nodes, in which they increase in size and cause painful sensations, is called lymphadenitis. Lymphadenitis is not a primary disease, but occurs as a complication of the inflammatory process. In an inflammatory disease, pathogens and toxins produced by them penetrate together with the lymph flow into the lymph nodes, which causes an inflammatory reaction in them.
Most often, cervical, axillary, occipital, submandibular lymph nodes, popliteal, inguinal, ulnar are affected, in rare cases, inflammation of deeply located lymph nodes – iliac, pelvic.
Lymphadenitis has acute and chronic forms. Acute lymphadenitis develops in stages. Its first stage is catarrhal, then comes the hyperplastic stage, the third is purulent. Purulent stage – occurs when, due to inflammation, purulent melting of the lymph node tissue begins, a capsule with an abscess forms in it, which can break through – then the infected contents of this capsule are poured into the surrounding tissues, adenophlegmon or paralymphadenitis develops.
Putrefactive decomposition of the lymph node – ichyotic lymphadenitis is considered the most severe. Fibrinous lymphadenitis is associated with fibrin loss. Necrotic lymphadenitis – with necrosis of the lymph node. When the lymph node is soaked with blood, which occurs with plague or anthrax, hemorrhagic lymphadenitis occurs.
The syndrome can involve both a single lymph node and several nodes located nearby.
There are non-specific and specific lymphadenitis. The first occurs due to the effects of staphylococci or streptococci and their toxins, as well as tissue breakdown products. It is caused by festering wounds, boils, trophic ulcers, caries, osteomyelitis and other local inflammatory processes with the penetration of infection. Lymphadenitis can also be caused by various inflammatory diseases, childhood infectious diseases, skin diseases. Specific lymphadenitis occurs due to infections – syphilis, plague, anthrax, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, tularemia, actinomycosis, etc.
SYMPTOMS OF LYMPHADENITIS
Clinical manifestations of lymphadenitis are:
increase in the size of lymph nodes;
tenderness of enlarged lymph nodes;
in the case of abscess development – fever, general deterioration of well-being, intoxication of the body, headache, weakness, decreased appetite, swelling and hyperemia in the area of the suppurated lymph node, severe pain that increases with movement;
in the case of putrefactive lymphadenitis, the crunching of air bubbles is heard when probing the lymph node.
Without timely treatment of lymphadenitis, complications may develop – lymphatic fistulas, thrombophlebitis, septicopyemia, infectious sepsis, etc.
Chronic lymphadenitis is characterized by an increase in lymph nodes, their densification, slight soreness.
The diagnosis of the disease is carried out by a surgeon. He examines the lymph node, determines the presence of lymphadenitis, as well as its stage and complications. If necessary, the doctor prescribes puncture and biopsy of lymph node tissues, as well as laboratory tests for the diagnosis of specific lymphadenitis.
TREATMENT OF LYMPHADENITIS
Therapy depends on the form and nature of the disease. In some cases, conservative treatment is enough – rest, taking antibiotics, vitamins, UHF therapy. In the purulent stage of the disease, it is necessary to sanitize the focus of inflammation, and intensive antibacterial therapy is also prescribed. Nonspecific lymphadenitis is treated by eliminating a factor that contributes to the maintenance of inflammation. Specific forms require mandatory elimination of the primary process.
