Symptoms and clinical picture of lymphadenitis in children
Signs of lymphadenitis in children are expressed in a significant increase in lymph nodes (mainly cervical and submandibular), sometimes so much that it is visible to the naked eye. On palpation, the child feels acute pain, the outer skin is hyperemic.
Symptoms of lymphadenitis in children vary depending on its type.
General - there are signs of intoxication, fever, chills, deterioration in general health, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, sweating, etc.
Purulent - the symptoms described above are even more pronounced, the skin in places of swelling is noticeably reddened, there is increased swelling and local pain.
Manifestations of lymphadenitis can acquire varying degrees of severity, depending on the patient’s age, complexity and duration of the disease (the acute period can last from 2 to 4 weeks).
Lymphadenitis in children
Lymphadenitis in children is an inflammatory reaction of the lymph nodes in response to local or general pathological processes in the body. Serous lymphadenitis in children occurs with enlargement, hardening, and soreness of the lymph nodes; purulent lymphadenitis is accompanied by local (hyperemia, edema) and general symptoms (sharp deterioration in health, fever). The diagnosis of lymphadenitis in children is established on the basis of a clinical examination, general blood test, ultrasound and lymph node puncture. In the treatment of lymphadenitis in children, conservative tactics are used (antibacterial, desensitizing, detoxification therapy, local applications, UHF) or surgical opening and drainage of the purulent focus with mandatory elimination of the primary source of infection. Symptoms of lymphadenitis in children
As a rule, lymphadenitis in children affects the lymph nodes in the face and neck (most often - submandibular and cervical on one or both sides, less often - parotid, buccal, occipital, behind-the-ear), in some cases - axillary, inguinal.
There are two forms of the disease: acute and chronic.
Acute lymphadenitis (1-3 days of illness) in children is manifested by noticeably enlarged, painful and dense lymph nodes that remain mobile. In this case, the general condition of the child is not disturbed, the skin is clean, body temperature is absent or slightly increased to 37-37.5 ° C.
The transition from the acute form to the purulent form (3-6 days of illness) occurs with a sharp deterioration in health and pronounced local symptoms. The child exhibits the following signs of intoxication:
- chills;
- increase in body temperature up to 40 ° C;
- severe weakness;
- headache;
- decreased or lack of appetite;
- sleep disturbance.
Intense shooting or nagging pains appear at the site of damage to the lymph node, caused by tissue damage, poor circulation, and swelling of the skin. It is possible for a child to develop adenophlegmon - the spread of infection beyond the lymph node, affecting nearby tissue.
The chronic form of lymphadenitis in children can develop primarily if the causative agents are weakly virulent microorganisms, or become a continuation of the acute form of the disease. In a chronic course without exacerbation, the lymph nodes are enlarged, limited in mobility, quite dense, but painless; the child’s well-being is not impaired; suppuration develops rarely. If a child has a focus of chronic infection that maintains sluggish lymphadenitis for a long time, the lymph nodes are gradually destroyed and replaced by granulation tissue.
Tuberculous lymphadenitis in children has a long course and is usually limited to the cervical group of lymph nodes, collected in a dense, painless, large package, similar to a collar. Tuberculous lymphadenitis in children can be complicated by caseous decay, the formation of fistulous tracts, and cicatricial changes in the skin.
Specific lymphadenitis associated with vaccination against tuberculosis ('becejeitis') can develop in children with low and altered general reactivity, manifesting as chronic calcific caseous lesions of the axillary lymph nodes. Generalized lymphadenitis in children is observed with disseminated tuberculosis and chronic tuberculosis intoxication; accompanied by characteristic fibrosis of nodes ('glands-pebbles').
Treatment of lymphadenitis in children
It is important to take action immediately after identifying symptoms of lymphadenitis. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance that the disease will not be protracted. The doctor’s task is to correctly determine the root cause of inflammation. Depending on what it turns out to be, the treatment method will be chosen. It can be general or local.
The first method is used to identify infections that have spread in the blood or organs and, as a result, caused lymphadenitis. Treatment in this case will consist of eliminating the primary disease. For example, the node could become painful and increase in size due to a sore throat. Then it makes no sense to eliminate lymphadenitis with local means. First you need to destroy the infection that caused the sore throat. It is most likely that after eliminating the underlying disease, lymphadenitis will go away on its own.
If the inflammation of the node was caused by bacteria entering directly into it, then the treatment should be local, that is, aimed at the affected area. In this case, antibacterial therapy is prescribed, including special compresses and antibiotics. In case of purulent lymphadenitis, surgical intervention can be performed, consisting of removing the discharge and cleaning the tissues surrounding the node.
Treatment of lymphadenitis in children is determined by the stage, type of disease, degree of intoxication and is aimed at stopping infectious and inflammatory processes in the lymph nodes and eliminating the primary source of infection.
For acute serous and chronic nonspecific lymphadenitis in children, conservative therapy is used, including antibiotics (cephalosporins, semisynthetic penicillins, macrolides), desensitizing agents, local treatment (dry heat, compresses with Vishnevsky ointment, UHF). General strengthening drugs are indicated - calcium gluconate, ascorutin, vitamins, immunostimulants.
If there is no effect of therapy or lymphadenitis passes into the purulent stage, the child is hospitalized and an emergency opening, drainage and sanitation of the purulent focus is performed. In the case of necrotizing lymphadenitis in children, a thorough curettage of the cavity is performed, and, if necessary, the lymph node is removed. In the postoperative period, complex anti-inflammatory and detoxification therapy is indicated. Treatment of specific tuberculous lymphadenitis in children is carried out in specialized medical institutions.
Basic treatment methods and contraindications
Treatment is carried out using an integrated approach and conservative methods of therapy.
The following medications are prescribed:
- antibiotics of narrow or broad spectrum of action;
- probiotics - to preserve intestinal microflora;
- antihistamines - to prevent allergic reactions and reduce tissue swelling.
Physiotherapeutic methods are represented by UHF and EHF therapy, which has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect.
Severe infections may require surgery.
Contraindications:
- suspicion of the presence of a tumor formation;
- Do not apply warm compresses or heat areas of swelling.
Symptoms and treatment of lymphadenitis
Lymphadenitis is inflammation of the lymph nodes caused by infection.
Lymph nodes are paired organs of the lymphatic system that perform a filtering function for lymph coming from different organs. They are located near lymphatic and blood vessels. There are cervical, intrathoracic, axillary, supraclavicular, inguinal, popliteal and other lymph nodes. This article will discuss the symptoms and treatment of lymphadenitis.
General signs of the disease:
- swollen lymph nodes;
- pain in the area where the nodes are located;
- heat;
- general malaise;
- headache and weakness.
In childhood, inflammation of the lymph nodes is much more common. Read on to learn more about the treatment of submandibular lymphadenitis in children.
Treatment of lymphadenitis in children
The main goal of treatment is therapy of the underlying disease!
Simple lymphadenitis due to acute respiratory infections do not require treatment. In young children, there is often a slight increase in some groups of lymph nodes, but this situation is considered as normal. In infectious diseases, lymphadenitis occurs for a short time and disappears without a trace. If the enlarged lymph nodes do not change in size and remain the same large size, then it is necessary to exclude oncological pathology. If the lymph nodes are suppurated, hospitalization in the surgical department of a children's hospital is required to provide specialized care. The affected organ is opened, drained and antibacterial therapy is prescribed.
Anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is one of the components of the vascular bed, which performs a number of functions: lymphatopoietic (lymph formation), barrier, immune, trophic.
What is lymph and why is it needed? Lymph is a colorless liquid that consists of lymphoplasm and lymphocytes. Through lymph, protein, fluid, and lymphocytes return to the bloodstream. There are several types of lymph depending on the location: peripheral lymph carries the above components to the lymph nodes, after passing through the nodes - intermediate and central - this is thoracic duct lymph. It is necessary to note the anatomical features of the lymphatic system, that is, to emphasize its components:
- lymphatic capillaries;
- lymphatic vessels;
- The lymph nodes;
- lymphatic trunks;
- lymphatic ducts.
The mass of the lymph nodes is about 1% of the child’s total body weight.
Currently, about 50 groups of lymph nodes have been identified. But lymph nodes have diagnostic value for a doctor:
- occipital;
- parotid;
- posterior cervical;
- anterior cervical;
- submandibular;
- chin;
- supraclavicular;
- subclavian;
- axillary;
- chest;
- elbows;
- inguinal;
- femoral;
- popliteal
The lymph node has a rather complex structure, and the structure is not homogeneous. The outside of the organ is covered with a rather dense capsule, from which connective tissue cords extend inward, forming septa. The internal component of the lymph node is divided into a cortical and medullary part and contains loose tissue. The cortical zone or B-dependent contains follicles of B-lymphocytes. Under this zone is the T-dependent region, which contains T-lymphocytes. Lymph node tissue filters lymph flowing from body tissues. Lymph nodes perform important functions:
- hemo-immunopoietic, that is, the formation of lymphocytes and antibodies;
- barrier and filtration function retains microbes and tumor cells;
- metabolic function of some substances and vitamins.
Lymph nodes are affected in most cases by pathogenic staphylococcus.
