Lymph nodes participate in the body's immune processes. In the lymph nodes, filtration of the lymph from the body tissues takes place. If a germ is detected, the lymphocytes are triggered to trigger an immune response to fight the infection. Infectious lymphadenopathy is mild and transient in most people. On the other hand, lymphadenopathy may accompany many serious diseases or be a symptom of an ongoing neoplastic process. Any disturbing lesion in the lymph nodes should be checked by performing an ultrasound scan (USG).
Make an appointment now - to the doctor who performs ultrasound of the lymph nodes in our hospital
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Where are the lymph nodes located?
Lymph node clusters are found in different parts of the body:
cervical lymph nodes,
submandibular lymph nodes,
axillary lymph nodes,
inguinal lymph nodes,
supraclavicular lymph nodes,
knee-length.
Lymph nodes are also located in the chest and abdominal cavities.
The causes of enlarged lymph nodes
Lymphadenopathy occurs in the course of:
Bacterial infections, e.g. pharyngitis
Viral infections, e.g. infectious mononucleosis, rubella,
Fungal infections, e.g. fungal pneumonia
Infections with protozoa (e.g. toxoplasmosis), mycobacteria tuberculosis, syphilis spirochetes,
Autoimmune diseases, e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis,
Storage diseases, e.g. sarcoidosis, amyloidosis,
Neoplasms of the lymphatic system (leukemias, lymphomas),
Tumor metastases.
In most people, lymphadenopathy is associated with an infection. They are the so-called reactive lymph nodes. The enlargement of the nodes is temporary and mild in nature. The reactive nodes are soft, sliding nodules that shrink as inflammation subsides. Apart from treating the infection, no other treatment is required.
Indications for ultrasound examination of lymph nodes
The disturbing changes that are an indication for ultrasound of the lymph nodes include:
the presence of hard non-moveable painless lymph nodes,
enlargement of the lymph node in the neck above 1 cm,
an enlargement of the groin lymph node more than 1.5 cm,
enlarged lymph nodes in the supraclavicular area,
the occurrence of enlarged nodes in clusters, "bundles",
persistence of enlarged lymph nodes for more than 3-4 weeks,
persistent redness or suppuration of the skin above the lymph nodes.
A visit to the doctor with an ultrasound examination is especially recommended if the chronic enlargement of the lymph nodes is accompanied by weight loss for no apparent reason. Another urgent indication is repeated low-grade fever without infection.
Preparation for ultrasound of lymph nodes
Ultrasound examination of lymph nodes does not require special preparation. The exception is the ultrasound examination of the abdominal lymph nodes - the examined person should be fasting (the last meal should be eaten at least 6 hours before the examination). If you have previously ordered blood tests, bring the results with you.
What does ultrasound of lymph nodes look like?
Before performing ultrasound of the lymph nodes, the doctor conducts an interview that includes questions about:
when you noticed enlarged lymph nodes and whether there was an infection at that time,
increase in the number of palpable lymph nodes over time,
chronic diseases,
medications taken,
contact with animals,
other symptoms, e.g. weight loss without cause, frequent low-grade fever.
Then the doctor puts the ultrasound head moistened with the gel to the appropriate place on the body. Depending on the type of assessed lymph nodes, it may be around the neck, armpits, groin or abdominal cavity. Ultrasound of lymph nodes is a completely painless examination. Due to the lack of any negative impact of ultrasound waves on the body's tissues, ultrasound can be performed in pregnant women as well as in young children and infants.
The doctor on the monitor image assesses the structure of the lymph nodes. Under physiological conditions, an enlarged lymph node contains only cells that participate in immune responses. Thanks to the Doppler ultrasound option, the doctor also assesses the organization of the vascularization of the lymph nodes. Normal lymph nodes are characterized by an orderly course of the vessels.
The examination takes about 15-20 minutes and ends with the publication of a description together with pictures of ultrasound images. At the Dworska Hospital in Krakow, we have high-class ultrasound equipment with the Doppler option and the possibility of 3D imaging. In the scope of ultrasound of lymph nodes, the following are performed:
Ultrasound of the neck lymph nodes,
Ultrasound of the lymph nodes under the arms,
Ultrasound of inguinal lymph nodes,
Ultrasound of supraclavicular lymph nodes,
Ultrasound of the abdominal lymph nodes.
We perform ultrasound of lymph nodes in newborns, infants and young children.
Frequently asked questions about ultrasound of lymph nodes:
Lymph nodes are small, oval-shaped lumps that are found in various parts of the body. around the neck, over the collarbones, in the armpits, in the groin and in the abdomen. Lymph nodes are part of the immune system - the lymph flowing through the lymph nodes from the body tissues is filtered for the presence of microbes. When an infection occurs, the lymph nodes produce cells related to immune processes. Thanks to this, bacteria, viruses and fungi are rendered harmless. In the course of an infection, the lymph nodes become temporarily enlarged, which is completely normal. It is worth noting that lymphadenopathy may also be a symptom of many serious diseases, and even cancer. To assess whether the observed condition is physiological or pathological, ultrasound of the lymph nodes is performed.
Enlarged lymph nodes appear as oval lumps that can be felt by palpating the subcutaneous tissue around the neck, groin or armpits. Lymphadenopathy is observed during infection. Less frequently, it may be a symptom of a systemic disease, cancer of the lymphatic system or neoplastic metastases. The image of the structure of the lymph nodes can be visualized during ultrasound examination (USG).
Painful to the touch, soft and sliding enlarged lymph nodes are most often an expression of an infection in the body. As the inflammation is calmed down, the lymph nodes, as a rule, cease to be tender to touch and gradually shrink. The most dangerous, however, are painless, hard and compact enlarged lymph nodes, because their presence may indicate an active neoplastic process (e.g. lymphoma, leukemia or neoplastic metastasis). In the event of such changes, an urgent ultrasound examination of the lymph nodes should be made.
Superficial lymph nodes are located on the sides of the neck. When the body remains healthy, the lymph nodes are usually not felt. Enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck is observed, among others, in in the course of pharyngitis (angina) or tooth decay. Palpation is used to assess the consistency of an enlarged lymph node. A physiologically enlarged lymph node (in the course of an infection) is soft, easy to move, but can be painful. The abnormal pathological enlargement of the lymph node (cancer) may be indicated by a compact, hard structure fused with the substrate, and the lymph node itself is painless. Ultrasound examination (USG) and lymph node biopsy enable a more precise assessment of the lymph nodes.
Lymphadenopathy is not a separate disease entity. Lymphadenopathy may be a symptom of infection, systemic disease, or cancer. Treatment is always directed to the cause of lymphadenopathy.
