Purulent lymphadenitis

Acute purulent inflammation of the lymph nodes is more common in the head area. An abscess is often preceded by a serous stage, characterized by a slight deterioration in the general condition, dull pain in the regional nodes. Suppuration at an early stage can proceed without pronounced features.

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Symptoms of purulent lymphadenitis

Suspecting purulent lymphadenitis is possible due to increasing pain syndrome, increasing swelling, which clearly manifest themselves after one or two weeks. Palpation reveals the fusion of the lymph node capsule with the surrounding tissues, or the merging of several nodes. As the purulent wound forms, the patient's condition may be of varying severity. It is determined by the severity of the inflammatory process and the area of the lesion.

Destruction of the lymph node with the flow of pus into the surrounding tissues causes an increase in body temperature. Fever, signs of intoxication, significant swelling in the area of inflammation are possible. Blood analysis indicates an increase in ESR, quantitative growth of leukocytes and neutrophils.

Acute purulent lymphadenitis

The purulent process develops against the background of acute serous lymphadenitis with improper treatment or as a result of untimely referral to a specialist. Factors that provoke purulent inflammation are: stress, hypothermia, previous severe pathological conditions, a significant decrease in the body's defenses, etc.

Acute purulent lymphadenitis manifests itself as severe pain syndrome (often pulsating type), temperature increase, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, weakness. Lymph nodes can fuse together, forming pathological conglomerates. The skin shows swelling, tension and hyperemia if the affected lymph nodes are close to the surface of the skin. Symptoms of intoxication are more common in children and adolescents than in adult patients. Blood tests show an increase in leukocytes, ESR and neutrophils. In some cases, the symptoms are vague (for example, the temperature remains at 37 ^o C, general health proceeds without a sharp deterioration), making diagnosis difficult.

The formation of a purulent wound occurs gradually over one to two weeks, as indicated by increased pain and swelling around the node. When the capsule of the lymph node is destroyed, pus flows out and affects adjacent tissues, forming adenophlegmon.

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Abscessing lymphadenitis

Acute purulent inflammation of the lymph nodes is also called abscessing. The disease appears in the absence of the necessary therapy for acute serous lymphadenitis. The provoking factors are stress, severe illnesses, hypothermia, decreased body defenses and other conditions.

Abscessing lymphadenitis begins with severe pulsating pain, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, and increased temperature. Signs of intoxication are detected in younger patients. Symptoms of the inflammatory process include a sharp increase in temperature, sleep disturbance, refusal to eat, and severe swelling. Infants suffer from signs of intoxication. The skin may be tense with signs of redness.

Blood tests and punctures help diagnose lymph node pathology.

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Bacterial lymphadenitis

Bacterial lymphadenitis is caused by bacterial infections, such causative agents include:

• staphylococcus;
• tularemia;
• brucellosis;
• hemolytic streptococcus;

Benign reticulosis (cat scratch disease).

Mycobacteria are also distinguished - tuberculosis, atypical pathogens, syphilis.

Aggressive pathogens are bacteria that cause a specific chronic type of lymphadenitis. Similar diseases include plague and anthrax.

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Non-purulent lymphadenitis

Inflammation without suppuration develops in relatively good condition of patients. Among the complaints are pain in the lymph node area during palpation, slight enlargement and compaction of the node. During examination, mobility of the lymph node capsule is revealed, lack of fusion with surrounding tissues, the skin over the affected node remains without visible changes.

Non-purulent lymphadenitis responds to conservative therapy methods. In addition to providing rest, using local cooling of the lymph nodes, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Antibiotics are often required.

The inflammatory process in the lymph node is a kind of signal and indicates a weakening of the body's defenses. It should be remembered that the lymphatic system performs not only a drainage function, but also produces antibodies to combat foreign proteins. In this regard, when an excessive number of microorganisms enter the lymph node, the number of lymphocytes that produce the necessary antibodies increases, and the node increases in size. This process is called "working hypertrophy" of the lymph node.

Treatment of purulent lymphadenitis

Treatment of purulent lymphadenitis consists of opening the node, extracting the purulent contents and, if necessary, draining the capsule. Antibacterial therapy is widely used. After the pus has been released from the wound, Vishnevsky ointment is applied locally.