Lymphadenopathy

Last updated: Monday, 20, December, 2010
CausesAppropriate Tests

Generalised

Review clinical features, FBC, blood film, differential WCC.
Consider lymph node biopsy, including FNAB, if the diagnosis is uncertain, or if confirmation is required.

Infection, especially

Viral, especially

Bacterial, especially

Protozoal, especially

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Lymphoma (non-Hodgkin's)

Hodgkin's disease

Connective tissue diseases

Sarcoidosis

Drug reactions, especially

  • Phenytoin
  • Primidone

Localised 

Examine drainage area for local lesion.

Consider the possibility that local lymph node enlargement represents the initial presentation of a disorder associated with generalised lymphadenopathy.

Consider lymph node biopsy, including FNAB, if diagnosis uncertain or if confirmation is required.

Culture of biopsy material, if appropriate.

Regional lymphadenopathy

Bacterial infection, especially

 

 

 


See under Mycobacterial infection

Metastatic neoplasia, especially

  • Carcinoma
  • Melanoma
  • Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy
  • Giant lymph node hyperplasia

See under Immunoproliferative disorders

  • Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy

See under Immunoproliferative disorders

  • Kikuchi's lymphadenitis

Lymphadenopathy - specific sites

  • Mesenteric
  • Yersinia pseudotuberculosis 

Yersinia sp antibodies.

  • Adenovirus 

Adenovirus antibodies.

  • Inguinal (primary genital infection)
  • Mediastinal

See Mediastinal mass

  • Hilar