Reactive lymphadenitis of the neck

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1. What is reactive lymphadenitis of the neck? What is the cause?

On the human body, there are many groups of small bean-shaped nodes that are scatteredly distributed. They are located in places like your neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin. This is part of the lymphatic system, as well as part of the body's immune system.
The lymphatic system helps fight infectious agents and prevent them from spreading. If a mass is biopsied, references to reactive lymph nodes may be seen when reviewing test results. This means that the lymph nodes are responding to something going on in the body.
However, it is not usually a reaction to anything serious. In fact, most of the time, reactive lymph nodes are harmless. Reactive lymph nodes are not caused by an infection or cancer in the lymph node itself.
Maybe you have had swollen lymph nodes at some point in your life, such as when you had a cold or an infection. It is a condition in which the lymph nodes are swollen , these are usually inflammatory lymph nodes .
Secondary lymphadenitis is a common soft-tissue infection in children that is thought to be caused by the transport of invasive microorganisms (initially invading from the mucosa or skin of the head or neck) to the lymph nodes toward the lymph nodes. heart.

In the case of pyogenic organisms (Staphylococcal or Streptococcal spp) neutrophils are recruited to the lymph nodes, resulting in rapid swelling, capsular distension, edema, and ultimately tissue necrosis with the potential to form abscess. There may be erythema on the skin and drainage of the plague. Neck lymphadenitis most commonly presents on one side, while the majority of cases of acute cervical lymphadenitis (the most common site of acute lymphadenitis in children) are bilateral; colds (most common) and strep throat and are major causes of bilateral lymphadenitis. The most common bacterial causes of lymphadenitis are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, which account for 40% to 89% of cases. Other infectious causes to be considered include group B Streptococcus (in neonates 7–89 days old and in elderly patients with appropriate epidemiology), Yersinia enterocolitica infection, cat scratch disease, tuberculosis , Toxoplasmosis , and Lymphogranulomatosis venereum . Other less common causes of this disease include Tularemia, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Anthrax Inhalation, Lung Nocardiosis, Sporotrichosis, and Actinomycosis. This condition can affect both adults and children and causes acute to subacute/chronic infections.
Some benign disease conditions such as bone bud, lipoma, sebaceous tumor, thyroid cyst, ... can cause lymphadenopathy in the neck. It is a benign tumor or cyst that does not cause any harm to the body. However, determining whether they are harmful or not requires the examination, testing and diagnosis of specialists.
Tuberculosis is also a cause of cervical lymphadenopathy. Characteristics of tuberculosis lymph nodes are often attached together in clusters or chains, do not cause pain, when touched, the lymph node surface is easily felt.
Lymph nodes can also be due to side effects of taking drugs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine...or side effects after vaccinations such as measles, typhoid... lymphadenopathy due to systemic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, lupus erythema ...
Symptoms include asymmetrical tender lymphadenopathy, erythema covering and drainage from the affected lymph node. Patients may also develop fever and other systemic manifestations of infection. Ultrasound can be used to evaluate abscess formation and guide fine-needle biopsies. Treatment depends on the causative organism and includes oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics, incision and drainage, or surgical removal of the affected lymph nodes.

2. Effective treatment of inflammatory lymph nodes

Depending on the cause or effect of the reactive inflammatory lymph node, there are different treatments. But first, if a cervical lymph node is detected, the patient should be taken to a specialist facility. Here, the doctor will examine and prescribe the necessary tests to know the cause of the lymphadenopathy.
Then, depending on the cause and clinical symptoms, a separate treatment will be given.
If the lymph nodes are inflamed, painful, causing fever, doctors will consider the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory combined with pain relievers. Some severe cases can cause pus accumulation in the lymph nodes, which may require lymph node puncture to drain.
It is necessary to continue giving the patient the prescribed medication and re-examination even if the lymph nodes are no longer palpable or the symptoms have improved. Some types of reactive inflammatory nodes will disappear on their own without the use of antibiotics, just anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment alone, combined with drinking plenty of water.
Should drink as much water as possible combined with drinking fruit juices rich in vitamin C such as oranges and lemons to help strengthen resistance. During the period of inflammation, do not exercise too much.
In general, benign lymph nodes are common in children, often caused by bacterial or viral infections. The lymph nodes are usually soft or firm, small in size, and slow growing. Malignant lymph nodes are common in the elderly, may be at a young age, the lymph nodes are usually solid or firm, less mobile, or have deep, fast-growing lymph nodes.
Medical Examination Department - Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the addresses for general examination and treatment, including reactive lymphadenitis in the neck. At Vinmec, the medical examination process is scientific, the procedure is quick, the patient does not have to wait for a long time, most of the examination process is completed within the day. The medical staff is highly qualified, professional working style, dedicated and attentive. Comprehensive facilities, including a system of clinics and consultations, blood collection rooms, dining rooms, waiting areas for customers. Customers will be consulted and supported enthusiastically, the examination process is reasonable and convenient...
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