Causes of Lymphadenopathy

Causes of Lymphadenopathy

• Infections:
  • Bacterial (e.g., Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Tuberculosis)
  • Viral (e.g., HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus)
  • Fungal (e.g., Histoplasma, Coccidioides)
• Malignancies:
  • Lymphoma (e.g., Hodgkin's, Non-Hodgkin's)
  • Leukemia
  • Metastatic cancer (e.g., breast, lung, colon)
• Autoimmune disorders:
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Sjögren's syndrome
• Other causes:
  • Medication reactions
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Castleman's disease

Symptoms of Lymphadenopathy

• Enlarged lymph nodes (may be painless or tender)
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Skin rashes or lesions
• Swollen or painful joints

Diagnosis of Lymphadenopathy

• Physical examination:
  • Palpation of lymph nodes
  • Assessment of lymph node size, texture, and tenderness
• Laboratory tests:
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Blood chemistry tests (e.g., liver function tests, electrolyte panel)
  • Infection-specific tests (e.g., HIV, TB)
• Imaging studies:
  • Ultrasound
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Lymph node biopsy:
  • Fine-needle aspiration (FNA)
  • Excisional biopsy

Treatment of Lymphadenopathy

• Infection-specific treatment:
  • Antibiotics for bacterial infections
  • Antiviral medications for viral infections
  • Antifungal medications for fungal infections
• Malignancy treatment:
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Targeted therapy
• Symptomatic management:
  • Pain relief medications
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Antipyretics

Complications of Lymphadenopathy

• Lymph node abscess formation
• Sepsis
• Disseminated infection
• Malignancy progression or recurrence
• Chronic lymph node enlargement
• Lymphedema (lymphatic obstruction)

Causes of Lymphadenopathy

• Infections can cause lymphadenopathy, including bacterial (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Tuberculosis), viral (HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus), and fungal (Histoplasma, Coccidioides) infections
• Malignancies such as lymphoma (Hodgkin's, Non-Hodgkin's), leukemia, and metastatic cancer (breast, lung, colon) can cause lymphadenopathy
• Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjögren's syndrome, can also cause lymphadenopathy
• Other causes include medication reactions, sarcoidosis, and Castleman's disease

Symptoms of Lymphadenopathy

• Enlarged lymph nodes, which may be painless or tender
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Skin rashes or lesions
• Swollen or painful joints

Diagnosis of Lymphadenopathy

• Physical examination involves palpation of lymph nodes and assessment of size, texture, and tenderness
• Laboratory tests include complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry tests (liver function tests, electrolyte panel)
• Infection-specific tests, such as HIV and TB tests, may be necessary
• Imaging studies include ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI
• Lymph node biopsy involves fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or excisional biopsy

Treatment of Lymphadenopathy

• Infection-specific treatment, such as antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiviral medications for viral infections, and antifungal medications for fungal infections
• Malignancy treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy
• Symptomatic management involves pain relief medications, anti-inflammatory medications, and antipyretics

Complications of Lymphadenopathy

• Lymph node abscess formation
• Sepsis
• Disseminated infection
• Malignancy progression or recurrence
• Chronic lymph node enlargement
• Lymphedema (lymphatic obstruction)