Inguinal lymphadenitis

Inguinal lymphadenitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin area. There are a lot of reasons for its appearance, but infectious diseases (especially those that are sexually transmitted) remain the dominant among them.

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Causes of the inguinal lymphadenitis

There are many reasons for the appearance of inguinal lymphadenitis, in any case, all of them are associated with some primary infection, which is accompanied by inflammation. The most common is a fungal, bacterial and viral infection. Less common is parasitic and chlamydial infection. These can be infections that are transmitted sexually, infections of the lower extremities, lymphomas, oncological diseases in the pelvic region, inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, suppuration of furuncles, trophic ulcers, abscesses of the lower limbs, but most often the cause is infection of internal and external genital organs (for example syphilis , gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis). It can affect both one and several lymph nodes. Sometimes inguinal lymphadenitis occurs due to the administration of certain medications. To a separate category of causes of inguinal lymphadenitis include oncological malignant and benign diseases of the pelvic organs, they can also cause inflammation in the lymph nodes.

[3], [4]

Symptoms of the inguinal lymphadenitis

The function of the lymphatic system is the delay and destruction of all kinds of infectious factors that can enter the lymph nodes with the current of the lymph and also with the blood flow, therefore, when the infection enters the lymph node, it can come into a state of irritation and inflammation, resulting in lymphadenitis. Inguinal lymphadenitis is one of the types of inflammation of the lymph nodes. The appearance of lymphadenitis indicates the appearance of any disease of infectious or non-infectious etiology. Also, an increase in the lymph nodes of the inguinal region may indicate the presence of malignant processes in the pelvis or abdominal cavity. By its anatomical nature, the lymph nodes that are in the inguinal region contribute to the flow and outflow of the lymph fluid to the buttocks, the lower abdominal wall, the anal canal, the lower extremities, the genital organs of the woman and the man. Therefore, the appearance of lymphadenitis in most cases indicates the development of diseases of the above parts and organs of our body.

Lymphadenitis of inguinal lymph nodes

In the inguinal zone there are 3 groups of lymph nodes:

1. Upper group. It causes lymph flow from the lower abdominal wall and buttocks.
2. Medial (middle) group. On it there is an outflow of a lymph from an anus, external genitals, a perineum. This group is most often affected.
3. Lower group. Responsible for the outflow of lymph from the lower limbs.

Inguinal lymphadenitis is divided into two types:

1. Primary. It occurs extremely rarely, develops as a result of the direct entry of a pathogenic microorganism into the lymph node directly through skin lesions and mucosal lesions.
2. Secondary. It occurs in most cases of inguinal lymphadenitis. Its presence indicates the appearance of an inflammatory disease in another part of the body. Very often, this type of lymphadenitis can indicate the presence of sexually transmitted diseases.

Concerning the form of the disease, simple catarrhal lymphadenitis is isolated, which occurs without necrotic and suppurative processes and suppurative lymphadenitis, which is characterized by increased intensive inflammation of the lymph node, partial necrosis of its tissues and the subsequent appearance of an abscess (suppuration). This condition threatens to delay the outflow of lymph, overstretch and widening of the lymphatic vessels, edema of the pelvic organs and lower limbs.

[5], [6], [7], [8]

Symptoms of inguinal lymphadenitis

The main and dominant symptoms of inguinal lymphadenitis are an increase in the lymph nodes, their soreness in palpation and at rest. You can also note the pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen during exercise and walking. Concomitant symptoms may include fever, general malaise, chills. Symptomatics of more complex forms of lymphadenitis is characterized by reddening and swelling of the skin at the site of lymph node localization. This symptom can talk about a purulent process in the lymph node, which must be treated immediately, since the absence of treatment can lead to rupture of the lymph node with the subsequent ingress of pus into the intermuscular space, there may also be necrosis (necrosis) of the lymph node and surrounding tissues, or the disease can spread to the lymphatic system of the whole organism. However, one should also not ignore the fact that malignant formations of pelvic organs can give metastases to the inguinal lymph nodes and thereby cause their soreness and increase. In this case, you need to resort to additional diagnostic methods.

If any of the above symptoms, even the most insignificant, appear, one must necessarily consult a doctor, since inguinal lymphadenitis and its complications can lead to a critical condition of the whole organism.

Acute inguinal lymphadenitis

Acute inguinal lymphadenitis is characterized by acute inflammatory process in the lymph node. The cause of this can be any infection present in the body (eg, staphylococcal). For example, the presence of a purulent wound on the leg can trigger infection into the lymph node through lymph. Also, acute lymphadenitis can occur against the background of chronic chronic inguinal lymphadenitis, which was not amenable to treatment. The main symptoms of acute lymphadenitis are sharply painful enlarged lymph nodes, reddening of the skin in the lymph node, general malaise, fever. In the absence of treatment, the knot begins to swim, an abscess appears, which at the break turns into phlegmon and subsequently necrosis (necrosis) of the tissues accordingly appears. Sometimes acute purulent lymphadenitis can spread simultaneously to several lymph nodes, so these conditions require urgent medical attention, since there is a threat of infection of the blood.

Inguinal lymphadenitis in women

In women, inguinal lymphadenitis can mainly appear due to a number of reasons peculiar to women: cystic formations of internal genital organs, various infectious and fungal diseases, malignant formations in the pelvic organs. Lymphadenitis occurs in women as well as in men, with the same symptomatology. The only difference between inguinal lymphadenitis in women and men is its underlying cause, in particular the close relationship of diseases of the genital organs to diseases of the inguinal lymph nodes. It should be noted that inguinal lymphadenitis in women can go to lymphogranulomatosis, which has more serious consequences. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent the female body from this severe condition.

Inguinal lymphadenitis in men

Inguinal lymphadenitis in men often occurs due to metastasis of malignant tumors of internal and external genital organs directly into the lymph node itself, and also because of the presence of venereal and infectious diseases. The course and symptomatology of the disease in men is the same as in women. If the cause of inguinal lymphadenitis in men is metastasis of malignant tumors, then it is necessary to resort immediately to conservative or to surgical methods of therapy, since metastasis of tumors to the lymph nodes has the property of spreading at high speed and metastases can affect a whole group of both inguinal lymph nodes and internal pelvic lymph nodes.

Inguinal lymphadenitis in children

Inguinal lymphadenitis in children occurs much less often than in the adult part of the population, because children are less susceptible to infection with sexually transmitted diseases and there are almost no cases of genital cancers among children. It is also worth paying attention to the age of the child - if this is a teenager, then it is mandatory to consult a venereologist, but if it is a newborn or a very small child, the cause may be intrauterine infection, immune problems, congenital disorders of lymph drainage. Very often the cause of inguinal lymphadenitis in children is the infectious diseases that occur due to injuries and microtraumas of surrounding tissues and genital organs, maceration of the skin in newborns, and so on. Timely diagnosis and treatment of lymphadenitis in children is very important, as the development of the disease can become fatal for the child and subsequently lead to a mass of concomitant diseases.

Diagnostics of the inguinal lymphadenitis

Normally, in a healthy person, inguinal lymph nodes are not probed, do not protrude above the skin level, do not cause soreness and unpleasant sensations. In the first place for the diagnosis of inguinal lymphadenitis, an external examination of the groin and lymph nodes is performed, the expressed symptoms of lymphadenitis are established and further diagnostic methods are prescribed in the form of laboratory or instrumental methods of investigation. Normally, you need to make a general and biochemical blood test to determine the typical causative agent of the disease. In some more severe cases, a lymph node biopsy is performed to perform a histological analysis of the detection of any pathologically altered cells. This analysis is necessary in order to confirm the presence or absence of malignant metastases of other organs in the lymph node. For the diagnosis to be as accurate as possible, it is necessary to consult several medical specialists in different areas at the same time. This will allow more thorough examination of each body system and, in general, come to a single conclusion that will indicate the root cause of the disease and help to accurately diagnose inguinal lymphadenitis.

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Treatment of the inguinal lymphadenitis

Methods for treating inguinal lymphadenitis are selected according to the underlying cause and stage of the disease. At the initial stages the patient needs to ensure a calm mode of life and avoid hypothermia. Regarding the methods of physiotherapy, inguinal lymphadenitis is used electrophoresis, galvanization and ultrasound treatment. When the disease takes on a more complex form, first of all, intensive antibiotic therapy is used to eliminate the inflammatory process, and also immunostimulating and general stimulating drugs are additionally attributed to the patient. If inguinal lymphadenitis becomes purulent, then in this case, surgical treatment is necessary, which consists in opening and draining the abscess with the further continuation of conservative therapy. If, after carrying out a biopsy of the lymph node, signs of metastases of malignant tumors were detected, then the treatment will be aimed at the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In the most critical situations, when necrosis of lymph nodes is diagnosed, it is necessary to remove them surgically. This method is not used so often for the reason that it is possible to develop complications in the form of an irregular outflow of lymph. Treatment of inguinal lymphadenitis with alternative methods is not an effective method of treatment, since it can be used only for primary manifestations of the disease and only as a method of additional maintenance therapy. It will also be important to note that the heating of inflamed lymph nodes is strictly prohibited because it leads to stagnation of lymph, disturbs the outflow of the lymphatic fluid and threatens the development of a purulent process.

Prevention

To prevent the development and complication of such a disease as inguinal lymphadenitis, it is first necessary to get rid of the foci of infection in the body that can cause this disease, because by its nature lymphadenitis in most cases manifests itself as a secondary disease that has some underlying cause. This can be infectious and fungal diseases of the genitourinary system, cancer, skin trauma. Care must be taken to microtrauma and skin lesions, to treat them with antiseptic solutions (hydrogen peroxide, iodine, zelenka) to prevent purulent and septic complications. If the purulent process is already present, then it must be urgently disposed of until it has become more complicated and has not affected the blood and lymphatic system. Also, if necessary, if immunosuppression is present, general restorative and immuno-fortifying preparations can be used.

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Forecast

Prognosis of inguinal lymphadenitis is most often favorable. If a correct diagnosis was made and timely treatment was started, then one should expect positive results of recovery. Otherwise, in the absence of treatment, generalized infection may occur and there is a risk of necrotizing the lymph node, which threatens to be removed later with subsequent lymphatic drainage.

Treating yourself with inguinal lymphadenitis is very dangerous, as it can threaten serious complications. Therefore, timely access to a specialist and taking the necessary measures of treatment is the key to a successful recovery.

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