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Purulent lymphadenitis

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
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Purulent inflammation of the lymph nodes of the acute course is more common in the head region. The abscess is often preceded by a serous stage, characterized by a slight deterioration in the general condition, dull pain in the regional nodes. Suppuration at an early stage can occur without pronounced features.

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Symptoms of purulent lymphadenitis

To suspect purulent lymphadenitis allow an increasing pain syndrome, an increase in swelling, which clearly manifest in one to two weeks. When palpation, a lymph node capsule is found to be soldered to surrounding tissues, or a combination of several nodes is found. As the purulent wound forms, the patient's condition may be of varying severity. It is determined by the severity of the inflammatory process and the area affected.

The destruction of the lymph node with the expiration of pus in nearby tissues causes an increase in body temperature. It is possible - fever, signs of intoxication, significant swelling in the area of inflammation. A blood test indicates an increase in ESR, a quantitative increase in leukocytes and neutrophils.

Acute purulent lymphadenitis

The purulent process develops against the background of acute serous lymphadenitis with improper treatment or as a result of untimely treatment to a specialist. Factors provoking purulent inflammation are: stress, hypothermia, previous severe pathological conditions, a significant reduction in the body's defenses, etc.

Acute purulent lymphadenitis is manifested by severe pain syndrome (often pulsating type), temperature increase, sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, weakness. Lymph nodes can weld together, forming pathological conglomerates. On the skin side, swelling, tension and hyperemia are revealed, if the affected lymph nodes are close to the surface of the skin. Symptoms of intoxication are more common in young children and adolescents than in adult patients. The blood test shows the growth of leukocytes, ESR and neutrophils. In a number of cases, the symptomatology is blurred (for example, the temperature is kept at 37 o C, the general state of health proceeds without a sharp deterioration), making it difficult to diagnose.

The formation of a purulent wound occurs gradually in one to two weeks, as indicated by increased pain, an increase in edema around the node. When the capsule of the lymph node is broken, the pus pours out and affects adjacent tissues with the formation of adenophlegmon.

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Abscessed lymphadenitis

Acute purulent inflammation of the lymph nodes is also called abscessing. There is a disease in the absence of the necessary therapy for acute serous lymphadenitis. Factors provocateurs are stress conditions, severe illnesses, hypothermia, a decrease in body defenses and other conditions.

Abscessing lymphadenitis begins with severe pains of a pulsating nature, sleep disturbances, lack of appetite, and fever. Signs of intoxication are detected in patients of younger age group. Symptoms of the inflammatory process include a sharp increase in temperature, sleep disturbance, a refusal of food, a strong puffiness. Infants suffer from intoxication. The skin can be strained with signs of redness.

Diagnosis of the pathology of the lymph node is helped by a blood test and puncture.

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Bacterial lymphadenitis

Bacterial lymphadenitis is formed due to infections of bacterial nature, such agent-causative agents include:

  • staphylococcus aureus;
  • tularemia;
  • brucellosis;
  • streptococcus hemolytic type;

Reticulosis benign (feline scratch disease).

There are also mycobacteria - tuberculosis, atypical pathogens, syphilis.

Aggressive pathogens are bacteria that cause a specific chronic type of lymphadenitis. Such diseases include the plague and anthrax.

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Pulmonary lymphadenitis

Inflammation without suppuration develops with a relatively good state of patients. Among the complaints, there are tenderness in the area of the lymph node during palpation, a slight increase and compaction of the node. Upon examination, the mobility of the lymph node capsule is revealed, the absence of fusion with surrounding tissues, the skin over the affected node remains without visible changes.

Non-nasal lymphadenitis is susceptible to conservative therapy. In addition to providing rest, using local cooling of the lymph nodes, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs are used. It is often necessary to take antibiotics.

Inflammatory process in the lymph node is a kind of signal and indicates a weakening of the protective forces of the human body. It should be remembered that the lymphatic system performs not only a drainage function, but also produces antibodies for the control of foreign proteins. In this regard, if you get into the lymph node of an excessive number of microorganisms, the number of lymphocytes that produce the necessary antibodies increases, and the node increases in size. This process is called the "working hypertrophy" of the lymph node.

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Treatment of purulent lymphadenitis

Treatment of purulent lymphadenitis consists of opening the unit, removing purulent contents and, if necessary, draining the capsule. Antibacterial therapy is widely used. After the pus is isolated from the wound, Vishnevsky's ointment is topically applied.

More information of the treatment

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