Lymphadenitis - treatment of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck in children and adults

From this article you will learn:

symptoms of lymphadenitis in children and adults,
reasons for the development of inflammation,
acute and chronic lymphadenitis - treatment, antibiotics.

The article was written by a doctor with experience in maxillofacial surgery.

Lymphadenitis is an inflammation of one or more lymph nodes that occurs against the background of acute or chronic infection. Most often, lymphadenitis occurs in children (due to the imperfection of their immune system), and at an outpatient appointment with a pediatric dentist, lymphadenitis is diagnosed in approximately 5-7% of all children. Moreover, lymphadenitis in children under 5 years of age occurs primarily due to acute respiratory viral infections, infectious processes in the tonsils, inner and middle ear, and in children after 6-7 years of age - due to foci of purulent inflammation at the roots of the teeth.

In approximately 40% of cases, inflammation of the lymph nodes is not diagnosed in time. This is due to the fact that pediatricians and pediatric dentists, to whom parents most often bring their children for examinations, do not have much experience in working with this pathology. As for adults, lymphadenitis occurs in them much less frequently than in children, and its development is usually caused by a combination of factors - the presence of acute or chronic purulent inflammation + a weakened immune system.

Lymphadenitis: photo

There are many groups of lymph nodes on the face and neck, the main ones being the buccal, parotid, submandibular (submandibular), retromandibular, submental, retropharyngeal, as well as superficial and deep cervical lymph nodes. In healthy children and adults, the lymph nodes are never enlarged, but if they are enlarged, this almost always happens as a result of invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. But we must remember that in some cases, enlarged lymph nodes may indicate tumor growth or blood diseases.

Structure and function of lymph nodes –

In the body, lymph nodes play the role of a biological filter. Lymph nodes retain and destroy pathogenic bacteria and toxins that enter them through lymphatic vessels - from teeth and bones affected by inflammation, tonsils, soft tissues of the face, and other organs and tissues. However, with the constant chronic sedimentation of microorganisms in them, they lose the ability to neutralize them, and in some cases they themselves turn into sources of purulent infection.

Each lymph node has a connective tissue capsule on the outside, from which lymphatic vessels depart, providing inflow or outflow of lymph. Thin connective tissue septa (trabeculae) extend from the capsule into the lymph node, between which the parenchyma is located. Closer to the capsule, the parenchyma consists of lymphoid follicles, and closer to the center of the lymph node - of strands of lymphocytes. The lymph passing through the lymph node is cleared of infectious agents and other antigens, and the so-called “immune memory” is also formed here.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck: causes

As we said above, different causes of lymphadenitis prevail at different ages. In children under 5 years of age, the main role is played by acute respiratory viral infections (influenza, pneumonia, tonsillitis, otitis, rhinitis), as well as foci of chronic infection in the tonsils, inner and middle ears. Less commonly, the development of lymphadenitis at this age is associated with pustular lesions of the skin of the face and head, as well as with inflammation of the oral mucosa due to stomatitis or as a result of traumatic damage. The development of lymphadenitis can also be triggered by the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis.

Diagnosis and treatment of all of the above non-odontogenic lymphadenitis (i.e., not associated with teeth) is most often carried out by pediatricians and infectious disease specialists. But as for the age from 6 to 12 years, up to 70% of cases of inflammation of the lymph nodes in a child are associated with foci of purulent inflammation in the area of the roots of the teeth. Lymphadenitis, the cause of which is inflammation of the teeth, is called “odontogenic”. And therefore, the first doctor you should contact in order to find the source of the infection should be a dental surgeon.

Causes of odontogenic lymphadenitis in children and adults –

acute purulent periodontitis (or exacerbation of chronic periodontitis),
suppuration of a cyst at the apex of the tooth root,
difficult teething (including the lower wisdom tooth),
alveolitis (inflammation of the socket of an extracted tooth),
purulent periostitis (flux),
osteomyelitis of the jaws,
perimaxillary abscesses and phlegmons,
odontogenic sinusitis,
stomatitis of the oral mucosa.

Differences between odontogenic and non-odontogenic lymphadenitis –

As for odontogenic lymphadenitis, most often complaints are made about unilateral inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck, which corresponds to the submandibular group of lymph nodes (submandibular lymphadenitis). If you start questioning the patient, you can often find that inflammation of the lymph node was preceded by pain in one of the teeth, or gumboil may have formed on the gum before this, or one of the teeth was recently treated by a dentist. Those. usually there is always an exact connection between inflammation of the lymph node and the causative tooth (on the same side), or with a disease of the oral mucosa.

In acute nonodontogenic lymphadenitis, patients complain of the appearance of not one, but usually several “balls” at once in the submandibular region or upper parts of the neck. Moreover, patients clearly associate this with a recent sore throat, otitis media or acute respiratory viral infection. A feature of non-odontogenic lymphadenitis is that inflammation of the lymph nodes occurs in several anatomical areas at once, often symmetrical (by the way, this is one of the distinctive signs of non-odontogenic lymphadenitis). In addition, non-odontogenic lymphadenitis is always accompanied by a general inflammatory process in the body associated with the underlying disease, for example, otitis media or tonsillitis.

Which lymph nodes are most likely to become inflamed?

Moreover, it is approximately always possible to determine the source of inflammation of a lymph node if you know the paths of lymph outflow from various areas of the face - to the lymph nodes of a certain location. Most often in children and adults, inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes located along the lower edge of the lower jaw occurs. Lymph flows into the submandibular nodes from the bone tissue, periosteum and teeth of the lower jaw (from the canine to the third molar), as well as from the tonsils, skin of the external nose and the anterior mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.

In addition, lymph partially enters the submandibular lymph nodes from bone tissue, periosteum and teeth of the upper jaw (from the fourth premolar to the third molar). An important point is that slightly deeper than the submandibular lymph nodes there are retropharyngeal lymph nodes, to which lymph flows from the middle ear, from the posterior parts of the nasal cavity, and also partially from the tonsils, and from the hard and soft palate.

Another important group is the mental lymph nodes, into which lymph flows from the skin of the upper and lower lips, from the roots of the lower incisors and canines, from the bone and periosteum of the mental region of the lower jaw. Accordingly, inflammation of this group by the lymph node can be caused, for example, by a focus of purulent inflammation in one of the lower front teeth. But lymph flows to the parotid lymph nodes from the skin of the forehead, ears, external auditory canals, cheeks and upper lip. Accordingly, inflammation of the parotid lymph nodes can be triggered by an inflammatory process in these tissues.

Enlarged lymph nodes - what to do

Inflammation of the lymph nodes, called lymphadenitis, and often found in combination with lymphagnoitis, is an alarming symptom. If the lymph nodes become enlarged and painful, you should consult a doctor to determine the cause of this deviation. In most cases, enlarged lymph nodes signal the development of some disease that requires diagnosis and treatment. Typically, enlarged lymph nodes are caused by an inflammatory process occurring in the human body.

Causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes

Inflammation of the lymph nodes is a natural, objective process, because the lymph nodes filter all components that enter the circulatory system. As soon as pathogenic microorganisms enter the lymph node, which is a kind of barrier, lymphocytes begin to work in it, killing harmful viruses and bacteria. But in some cases, the mass of foreign elements in the blood increases so much that the normal number of white blood cells can no longer cope with their function. In response, lymphocytes actively multiply to eliminate the infection. And now the lymph nodes grow, become inflamed, redness of the skin and pain appear - inflammation of the lymph nodes is diagnosed.

Signs of inflammation of the lymph nodes

Inflammation of the lymph nodes is accompanied by the following symptoms:

swollen lymph nodes;
pain in the lymph nodes;
general malaise, headache;
heat.

If, in addition to the listed signs, the skin in the area of the lymph node turns red and severe pain appears, it means that a purulent process has begun. Other signs of purulent inflammation of the lymph nodes are fever, chills, and a general deterioration in the patient’s condition.

If an enlarged lymph node does not hurt, the temperature does not rise and the node grows slightly in size, this signals that this lymph node is functioning more actively than the others. This can be caused by some disease that occurs at the time of inflammation of the lymph node, or has already passed. After some time, the enlarged lymph node takes on its standard size.

There is local and generalized inflammation of the lymph nodes - this depends on the degree of spread of the disease. If only one category of lymph nodes is affected, they speak of local inflammation of the lymph nodes. If lymph nodes that are not adjacent to each other swell and hurt, this is a generalized inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Diseases that cause enlarged lymph nodes

As a rule, enlarged lymph nodes are associated with an infection - affecting the entire body or local. The onset of many serious diseases, including infectious and even cancer, is indicated by enlarged lymph nodes (one or more).

Inflammation of the lymph nodes is a symptom of a variety of ailments - from banal acute respiratory infections or tonsillitis to such serious cancers as leukemia or lymphoma.

By the way, in childhood, inflammation of the lymph nodes is observed much more often than in adults.

Often in babies, the lymph nodes located at the base of the skull or in the neck protrude greatly above the surface of the skin, and this is normal. Despite the fact that at first glance, such lymph nodes seem painfully swollen, they do not indicate any abnormality, but are simply an individual characteristic of this child. However, if the enlargement of the lymph nodes is pronounced, and their diameter is more than two and a half centimeters, this is already a sign of the disease.

Acute inflammation of the lymph nodes

The onset of acute inflammation of the lymph nodes is indicated by painful sensations, enlarged lymph nodes, elevated temperature, and lethargy. In many cases, inflammation of the lymph nodes is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the lymphatic vessels. As a rule, inflammation of the lymph nodes is more severe, the more pronounced the infection that caused it. However, it also happens that the initial infectious process has already subsided, and the lymph nodes still hurt and remain swollen.

Acute inflammation of the lymph nodes can have three forms: catarrhal (non-purulent), hemorrhagic (blood admixture appears in the lesion) and purulent. Catarrhal inflammation of the lymph nodes is rarely accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition; the lymph nodes located at the site of the original source of inflammation are painful and swollen, the skin does not turn red, and the tissues adjacent to the lymph node are not affected by infection.

With purulent inflammation, the lymph nodes hurt much more severely, the skin in the lesion becomes red and inflamed, the lymph nodes become immobile, general symptoms of the infectious process appear (weakness, lethargy, elevated body temperature, headache, etc.)

If the patient consulted a doctor on time and the inflammation of the lymph nodes was correctly diagnosed, the treatment will be effective and uncomplicated. But if the disease starts and it goes into a purulent stage, it is quite possible that the lymph node will be completely destroyed and a patch of connective tissue will form in its place. In this case, the outflow of lymph in this area will be disrupted, and permanent swelling will appear. Other serious complications of lymphadenitis are an inflammatory process in the veins (thrombophlebitis), purulent inflammation of adjacent tissues, and blood poisoning. In addition, acute inflammation of the lymph nodes often develops into a chronic form.

Chronic inflammation of the lymph nodes

The chronic form of inflammation of the lymph nodes can begin in the process of a sluggish chronic infectious disease (for example, chronic tonsillitis). Another possibility is the transition of the acute phase of inflammation to the chronic phase. As a rule, with a chronic course, the lymph nodes enlarge, but do not suppurate. When palpating chronically inflamed lymph nodes, the doctor discovers that they are fused with adjacent tissues and compacted. In this case, the lymph nodes do not hurt, but remain enlarged for a long time. Gradually, the tissue of the lymph nodes is replaced by connective tissue, and they decrease in size. Sometimes overgrown connective tissue causes disruption of lymph circulation - swelling appears.

Doctors identify six groups of causes that cause enlarged lymph nodes. These are the following diseases and conditions:

local infection;
general infection (generalized, widespread), affecting the body as a whole;
connective tissue diseases;
oncological diseases;
increased sensitivity of the body;
granulomatosis.

1. Localized infections can be bacterial and viral, as well as caused by other microorganisms.

— Bacterial local infections. If lymph node enlargement occurs once, it can be caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus. There are, of course, other, more severe bacterial infections - for example, plague or diphtheria. Long-term chronic local infections also include tuberculosis.

— Viral local infections causing inflammation of the lymph nodes. These include, say, rubella, cat scratch disease (Bartonella) - the most common infections that provoke inflammation of the lymph nodes.

In addition to viruses and bacteria, enlargement of lymph nodes can also be caused by other pathogens - protozoa, fungi, spirochetes.

After vaccination against a group of diseases (DTP), children's lymph nodes often become inflamed and painful, but this process is temporary and passes quickly.

2. Common (generalized) infections are also caused by bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms.

— general bacterial infections that cause inflammation of the lymph nodes include tuberculosis, typhus, and some contagious skin diseases.

— viral infections accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes include, for example, the following:

cytomegalovirus,
rubella,
chickenpox,
Infectious mononucleosis.

According to some scientific data, AIDS may also be one of the causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes.

— Among other causative agents of generalized infections are spirochetes, single-celled microorganisms that can cause enlargement and pain in the lymph nodes.

During an infectious process that affects the entire human body, inflammation of the lymph nodes first occurs in one of them, and then spreads to several lymph nodes, and then they speak of generalized inflammation.

3. Connective tissue diseases that can cause enlargement of lymph nodes are, for example, arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus.

4. Hypersensitivity states occur in some people who react strongly to certain substances. Inflammation of the lymph nodes is an individual response to the administration of therapeutic drugs and other media. An example is horse serum, which is used to make antiserum and can cause swollen lymph nodes in hypersensitive patients.

5. Oncological diseases also cause enlargement of lymph nodes. Among them, for example, leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis, lymphoma.

6. Granulomatosis.

If you discover enlarged lymph nodes in yourself or someone close to you, you should contact one of the following specialists:

infectious disease physician,
surgeon,
hematologist,
oncologist.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones!

T.A. Konon.

Classification of lymphadenitis –

There are several classification options for lymphadenitis. For example, according to the localization of inflammation, lymphadenitis can be submandibular, submental, retromandibular, parotid, cervical, etc. According to the route of infection, lymphadenitis is divided into – 1) “odontogenic”, i.e. in this case, the infection is associated with the teeth, 2) “non-odontogenic”, i.e. associated with a viral or bacterial infectious process of a non-dental nature (this may include sepsis or a specific infection such as tuberculosis, syphilis, actinomycosis, AIDS).

Acute and chronic lymphadenitis: symptoms

Lymphadenitis is characterized by a certain seasonality of the disease - most often it occurs in the autumn-winter period and early spring. In the first case, the outbreak is explained primarily by the active state of the immune system during this period, and an overreaction to any infection. In the spring, on the contrary, it is associated with the weakness of the immune system and the inability of the lymph nodes to resist a large volume of pathogenic microorganisms. So, let's move on to the symptoms of different forms of lymphadenitis...

1) Acute serous lymphadenitis - it is characterized by an enlargement of the lymph node (sometimes quite significant), as well as the appearance of pain. The general condition is satisfactory, the temperature is usually not higher than 37.5, there are no changes in the blood and urine. Upon palpation, an enlarged painful node is felt, usually round in shape, the skin is not fused to it (i.e., the skin above the lymph node gathers in a fold), and its color is not changed. As the inflammation subsides, the lymph node shrinks, gradually becomes softer, and the pain disappears (24stoma.ru).

2) Acute purulent lymphadenitis - if a child does not have an appointment with a dental surgeon or pediatrician for 5-7 days, then serous inflammation usually turns into purulent inflammation. This is also facilitated by active home self-medication in the form of various compresses and warming up. The rapid transition of serous inflammation into purulent inflammation is facilitated by an incorrect diagnosis by pediatricians, who immediately prescribe heat compresses, thereby accelerating the transformation of serous inflammation into purulent inflammation (as a result of which such children quickly end up in the maxillofacial department).

In acute purulent lymphadenitis, complaints are usually made about an enlarged lymph node, in which throbbing pain appears, a significant increase in body temperature up to 38.0 ° C, loss of appetite (in children this causes a change in behavior, the child becomes capricious and restless). In the projection of the inflamed lymph node, tissue swelling appears, and upon palpation a painful round-shaped infiltrate is felt. The skin in the projection of the lymph node becomes red and gradually fuses with the lymph node (i.e., it will not gather into a fold). Over time, a focus of softening may appear in the center of the infiltrate, i.e. symptom of fluctuation.

If the inflammation is localized in the retropharyngeal or parotid lymph nodes, then swallowing is usually painful, and mouth opening is most often limited. As for adults, their symptoms can occur in the same way as described above, but can often be erased. In the latter case, the formation of a purulent abscess inside the lymph node occurs slowly (sometimes within 2-3 weeks), and is not accompanied by severe general and local symptoms. Lack of treatment for acute purulent lymphadenitis can lead to pus leaving the capsule of the lymph node, i.e. into the surrounding tissues, and the development of a serious complication - adenophlegmon.

3) Chronic hyperplastic lymphadenitis - this form of lymphadenitis occurs mainly only in adults, it develops slowly (sometimes over 1-2 months or even more). Patients usually complain of the presence of some kind of round formation in the soft tissues, and sometimes also of weakness and malaise. The general condition is usually satisfactory, and only in the evening the temperature can rise to 37-37.5 °C. Initially, a painless or slightly painful pea appears deep in the tissues of the face or neck, which gradually enlarges and thickens.

On palpation, a round-shaped lymph node is palpable, with clear contours, mobile and not fused to the underlying tissues. Sometimes a significant proliferation of granulation tissue occurs in the lymph node, which extends beyond the lymph node capsule and grows to the skin, thinning it. When thinned skin breaks through, a fistulous tract usually forms, from which granulations bulge. This form of lymphadenitis can periodically worsen, and then during the period of exacerbation the symptoms will correspond to acute purulent lymphadenitis.

4) Chronic purulent lymphadenitis - this chronic form of lymphadenitis occurs in both children and adults. Patients usually complain of a long-term “ball” (usually in the submental or submandibular area), which does not cause any particular inconvenience. From a survey, you can usually find out that the ball first appeared several weeks or months ago - most often after pain in a tooth on the side of the inflamed lymph node. Subsequently, the pain in the tooth disappeared, but the slightly enlarged lymph node remained.

Patients may also note that over the course of several months there have been one or more cases of exacerbation of chronic inflammation, which was manifested by a slight increase in temperature, an increase in the size of the lymph node and its soreness. In this case, upon palpation, a dense, painful, limitedly mobile, round-shaped formation not fused to the skin is felt, in the center of which a focus of softening (fluctuation) can be detected.

5) Adenophlegmon - occurs when the lymph node capsule melts, when the pus contained in it penetrates into the surrounding loose tissue. Those. diffuse purulent inflammation occurs. Patients usually complain of intense, spontaneously occurring pain in any area, as well as deterioration in health, chills, and an increase in body temperature to 38-38.5 °C. In rare cases, adenophlegmons develop slowly, the symptoms are erased, and the body temperature does not exceed 37.5-38 °C.

Patients always usually say that the disease began with the appearance of a painful ball (pea), gradually increasing in size. Over time, a diffuse infiltrate appeared in the tissues, the skin on which became red and gradually stopped folding. The release of pus from the lymph node into the surrounding tissue is accompanied by an increase in the area of the infiltrate, the skin gradually becomes purple, and a focus of softening may appear in the center of the infiltrate. Treatment of adenophlegmon is only surgical; an urgent autopsy is indicated, and the location of the external incisions will depend on the location of the inflammation.

Establishing diagnosis -

Diagnosis of odontogenic lymphadenitis is quite simple, because There is always a connection with toothache and gum inflammation. When examining the teeth in this case, you can find either a destroyed tooth, or a tooth under a filling or crown. Biting on such a tooth can be painful, or there was pain in it quite recently. There may be a fistula or lump on the gum in the projection of the causative tooth, and pressing on the gum can be painful. If the inflammation in the dental area is chronic and almost asymptomatic, then panoramic radiography will help us.

It can be more difficult to make a correct diagnosis with non-odontogenic lymphadenitis, which in this case must be distinguished from an abscess, phlegmon, sialadenitis, salivary stone disease, suppurating atheroma, as well as from specific lymphadenitis in syphilis, tuberculosis and actinomycosis. In acute forms of lymphadenitis, puncture plays a decisive role in making the correct diagnosis. Examination of punctate allows you to make a correct diagnosis and distinguish ordinary nonspecific infectious lymphadenitis from specific lesions (actinomycosis, tuberculosis, syphilis, as well as oncology).

In addition, chronic hyperplastic lymphadenitis must be distinguished from congenital cysts and fistulas of the face and neck, tumors, as well as from lymphogranulomatosis (puncture will also help us here). It is equally important to pay attention to other lymph nodes during the examination, because an increase in several groups of facial and cervical lymph nodes at once should alert you to certain blood diseases and HIV infection.

Therapy for regional lymphadenitis

The danger of regional enlargement of nodes is in the absence of obvious pain in the groin. In 80% of cases, there is an enlargement of the lymph nodes without pain. This complicates diagnosis and leads to unintentional delayed treatment. While early detection of diseases that provoke lymphadenitis in the groin significantly increases the chances of treatment without complications.

Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin are treated only comprehensively. Initially, it is necessary to determine the source of the problem - the area of localization of inflammation. Without this (getting rid of the primary disease), treatment of the lymph nodes in the groin will be accompanied by relapses.

Much depends on the degree of increase and form of infection. For non-purulent forms of diseases in the groin, pharmacological therapy (antibiotic ointments/gels or oral administration) in combination with restriction of mobility may be sufficient. If suppuration begins against the background of enlarged lymph nodes, a surgical procedure may be required - opening and cleaning the lesions in the groin.

In some cases, medication and physical therapy for enlarged inguinal lymph nodes may be accompanied by the use of herbal-based drugs (dandelion, peppermint, herbs) in order to enhance the sedative effect in the inguinal lymph nodes.

Lymphadenitis: treatment

In the treatment of lymphadenitis, the main thing is to eliminate the cause of its occurrence.
Accordingly, in case of odontogenic lymphadenitis, depending on the condition of the tooth and the age of the child, it is necessary to treat or remove the causative tooth. If in adults it is desirable to preserve a tooth in all possible cases, then in children the situation is much more complicated. In children, inflammation at the root apex is treated only in permanent teeth; baby teeth must be removed. This is due to the wide root canals of baby teeth, the immaturity of the apexes of the roots of baby teeth, on which huge apical foramina gape. Such teeth cannot be properly filled, plus there is too great a risk of injury to the permanent tooth germ. Numerous attempts to treat such teeth end in almost 100% of cases with complications - the development of purulent periostitis, inflammation and loss of the permanent tooth germ, sometimes with sepsis and even death. And this is not to mention the fact that the long-term presence of a focus of purulent inflammation in a child affects the entire body, suppresses its immunity, contributing to the occurrence of frequent infectious diseases, allergic reactions, bronchial asthma and other pathologies. This is worth remembering when a not very competent doctor suggests not removing such a tooth, citing possible problems with the bite in the future.

Accordingly, if it is possible to save a permanent tooth in a child or an adult, the tooth is opened (removal of carious tissue, old filling or crown, revision of the root canals) to create an outflow of pus through the root canal. Next, general therapy is prescribed, and after the cessation of suppuration, the inflammatory focus at the apex of the tooth root is treated in the standard way, as for chronic periodontitis, i.e. with placing a special medicinal paste into the root canals. All these actions will prevent further transmission of infection from the source of inflammation - to the lymph nodes.

1) Treatment of serous lymphadenitis -

The treatment tactics for serous lymphadenitis will depend on what day after the onset of the disease the patient went to the doctor (the earlier, the greater the chance of success of conservative treatment). In this case, conservative treatment is first used - compresses with a 5% solution of dimexide, in which anti-inflammatory medications are dissolved. To do this, add 1 ml of hydrocortisone solution, 50% analgin solution and 1% diphenhydramine solution to 10 ml of a 5% dimexide solution.

Drug Dimexide (99% concentrate) –

Next, apply a classic compress to the area where the affected lymph node is located. A gauze cloth is generously moistened with the solution, and a plastic film is placed on top of it (to isolate the solution from air). Under no circumstances should you make a thermal compress by placing any material or towel over the film. Thermal procedures, if this is not 1-2 days of development of the disease, will only aggravate congestion in the lymph node and will contribute to the development of pathogenic microorganisms, i.e. the transition of serous inflammation to purulent (for the same reason, you should not do UHF, bandages with Vishnevsky ointment).

If a child or adult consults a doctor in the first 2-3 days from the onset of the disease, the most effective is the use of physiotherapy methods - phonophoresis of hydrocortisone, electrophoresis of dimexide with an antibiotic and diphenhydramine, laser therapy.

2) Treatment of purulent forms of lymphadenitis -

Surgery is used to treat acute purulent lymphadenitis, exacerbation of chronic purulent lymphadenitis, adenophlegmon. The operation is performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia, and it is necessary to scrape the necrotic tissue of the lymph node from the wound. In case of chronic hyperplastic lymphadenitis, it is better to remove the lymph node followed by histological examination (moreover, if there is a fistulous tract with granulations growing to the surface of the skin, the lymph node is removed along with the fistulous tract).

After opening the abscess, physiotherapy is prescribed - enzyme electrophoresis, UHF, magnetic therapy, helium-neon irradiation, ultraviolet radiation. Depending on the severity of inflammation, intoxication and the state of immunity, various medications are used. First of all, these are detoxification and antihistamines, sometimes antibiotics. For inflammation of the lymph nodes, not just any antibiotics are used, but those that tend to accumulate in the lymph nodes, for example, the combination of ampicillin + sulbactam, cefazolin, claforan).

Removal of a lymph node for hyperplastic lymphadenitis –

Complications of lymphadenitis –

As for complications, lymphadenitis can be complicated by adenophlegmon, and the latter can lead to the development of phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, and sepsis. The causes of complications are usually:

a sharp weakening of the immune system due to viral and infectious diseases,
if in the source of inflammation, in addition to the usual microflora (staphylococcus, streptococcus), there are also anaerobes (for example, clostridia and fusobacteria),
errors in diagnosis,
untimely start of treatment,
improper treatment, including attempts at home self-medication.

Prevention of lymphadenitis is timely sanitation of the oral cavity, as well as foci of acute and chronic infection in the body. We hope that our article: How to treat neck lymphadenitis was useful to you!

Sources:

1. Higher medical education of the author of the article, 2. Based on personal experience in maxillofacial surgery and dental surgery, 3. National Library of Medicine (USA), 4. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (USA), 5. “Outpatient surgical dentistry" (Bezrukov V.), 6. "Pediatric surgical dentistry and maxillofacial surgery" (Topolnitsky O.).