Cervical lymphadenopathy

Cervical lymphadenopathy refers to the abnormal enlargement or disease of the lymph nodes located in the neck. It is a common medical symptom and can be indicative of various conditions, ranging from benign infections to serious malignancies.

Causes

Cervical lymphadenopathy can be caused by a wide range of conditions. These include:

• Infections: These are the most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy. Infections can be viral, such as mononucleosis or HIV, bacterial, such as tuberculosis, or parasitic.
• Cancer: Certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma and leukemia, can cause cervical lymphadenopathy. It can also occur as a result of metastasis from a primary tumor located elsewhere in the body.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause inflammation of the lymph nodes, leading to cervical lymphadenopathy.
• Drug reactions: Some medications can cause lymph node enlargement as a side effect.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, followed by further investigations as needed. These may include:

• Blood tests: These can help identify infections or other systemic conditions.
• Imaging studies: Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans can provide detailed images of the lymph nodes and surrounding structures.
• Biopsy: In some cases, a sample of the lymph node tissue may be removed and examined under a microscope to identify the cause of the lymphadenopathy.

Treatment

The treatment of cervical lymphadenopathy depends on the underlying cause. This may involve:

• Antibiotics: If the lymphadenopathy is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.
• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy: If the lymphadenopathy is due to cancer, these treatments may be used.
• Surgery: In some cases, the affected lymph nodes may need to be surgically removed.

See also

• Lymphadenopathy
• Lymphatic system
• Lymph node biopsy