Axillary lymphadenitis - causes and signs of axillary lymphadenitis

The disease can be classified depending on the pathogen.

• Specific - occurs when affected by infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, fungi), as well as tumors (benign and malignant origin). Current pathologies include AIDS, sarcoidosis, brucellosis, tuberculosis, actinomycosis, monocytic angina.
• Nonspecific - develops with any other inflammatory diseases.

Causes

Axillary lymphadenitis is caused by microorganisms that penetrate through the vessels into the lymph nodes from places of acute or chronic inflammation with the blood flow, lymph or by direct contact.

Symptoms

Patients feel severe nagging pain and swelling in the armpit area, which is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, local hyperemia and hyperthermia. At a late stage of the pathology, chills, fluctuations and leukocytosis may appear.

The acute non-specific form is characterized by the following symptom complex: sudden pain in the area of enlarged lymph nodes, accompanied by weakness, malaise and headache.

The non-purulent process is characterized by enlarged, dense to the touch, mobile lymph nodes, quite painful when palpated. The skin above them is externally unchanged. The purulent form is manifested by severe pulsating pain.

Axillary purulent lymphadenitis also has secondary symptoms in the form of fever up to 39 ° C, chills, rapid heartbeat, general weakness and increased fatigue.

When palpating the inflamed area of the lesion, putrefactive phlegmon creates a sound similar to the "crunch of snow".

When symptoms are detected, the patient must consult a surgeon or surgical oncologist. You can make an appointment with these specialists on our website.

Diagnostics

In order to establish the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account the anamnesis and all clinical indications. Diagnosis is usually carried out using a puncture biopsy of the lymph nodes; if necessary, excision of the lymph node with subsequent histological analysis can be performed.

Diagnosing the disease involves a set of studies:

• lymphoscintigraphy;
• computed tomography;
• radiocontrast lymphography.

If necessary, doctors of other specialties are involved, for example, infectious disease specialists, venereologists.

Preliminary recognition of the disease involves an external examination with palpation of the areas where the nodes are located. When the primary signs of this disease are detected, the patient is prescribed an ultrasound examination.

Treatment

Therapy for acute nonspecific lymphadenitis depends entirely on the stage of the disease. Conservative treatment is used for the initial stages: UHF therapy, rest for the affected area, sanitation of the source of infection (opening of abscesses, leaks, phlegmon, drainage of the abscess), antibiotic therapy taking into account the sensitivity of the microbial flora in the main focus. Surgery is necessary for purulent lymphadenitis: opening of adenophlegmon, abscesses, removal of pus, drainage of the wound. Further therapy is carried out according to the principles of routine wound care.

The choice of therapeutic tactics for specific lymphadenitis is determined by the volume of lymph node damage and the severity of tuberculous changes. The treatment is quite long (from 8 to 15 months). If there is a pronounced purulent process, the patient may be prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Prevention

Preventive measures consist of preventing damage and microtrauma, as well as rational therapy of purulent-inflammatory and infectious processes in the wound.