Lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy is a term meaning "disease of the lymph nodes."

When the infection is of the lymph nodes themselves, it is called lymphadenitis, but when the infection is of the lymph channels, it is called lymphangitis.

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Associated conditions

Enlarged lymph nodes are a common symptom in a number of infectious and cancerous diseases. It is a recognized symptom of many diseases, which include:

• reactive: acute infection (e.g. bacterial, or viral), or chronic infections (tuberculous lymphadenitis, cat-scratch disease).
  • Infectious mononucleosis is an acute viral infection, the hallmark of which is marked enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes.
  • it is also a symptom of cutaneous anthrax and Human African trypanosomiasis.

• tumoral:
  • Primary: Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia
  • Secondary: metastasis, Virchow's Node, Neuroblastoma

• autoimmune etiology: sarcoidosis.

• immunocompromised etiology: 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.^[1]

Patterns of Benign (Reactive) Lymphadenopathy

There are three distinct patterns of benign lymphadenopathy:

• Follicular hyperplasia. Seen in infections, autoimmune disorders, and nonspecific reactions.
• Paracortical hyperplasia. Seen in viral infections, skin diseases, and nonspecific reactions.
• Sinus histiocytosis. Seen in lymph nodes draining limbs, inflammatory lesions, and malignancies.

Bihilar lymphadenopathy

Bihilar lymphadenopathy is a radiographic term that describes the enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes. It is easily and most commonly identified by a chest x-ray. The causes can divide into the four commonest:

• Tuberculosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Lymphoma
• Other malignancies

Less common causes include:

• Churg-Strauss syndrome
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
• Pneumoconiosis

References

1. ^ Chris Jennings (1993). Understanding and Preventing AIDS: A Book for Everyone.