Lymphadenitis is an inflammation of the lymph nodes that causes swelling and tenderness. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections spreading to the lymph nodes from another part of the body. Common infectious causes include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, tuberculosis, HIV and Epstein-Barr virus. Non-infectious causes include lymphoma. Symptoms include hard, swollen or tender lymph nodes, itchy skin, redness, warmth or swelling in the affected area. Diagnosis involves physical examination, blood tests, scans and lymph node biopsy. Treatment depends on the cause but may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, surgery or chemotherapy and radiation for cancer cases.

1. LYMPHADENITIS
DNE – IUIU –SNM.

2. Learning objectives.
i. Define lymphadenitis
ii. Causes of lymphadenitis
iii. Signs and symptoms of lymphadenitis
iv. Diagnosis/investigation
v. Treatment of lymphadenitis
vi. Complications of lymphadenitis.

3. Definition.
• Lymphadenitis is an inflammation of the
lymph nodes, resulting in lymph node swelling
and tenderness. The lymph node , also called
lymph glands, are part of the lymphatic
system. The lymphatic system is part of the
immune system. Lymph nodes produce cells
that help the body fight infections.

4. Cont.
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes can
arise due to infections or to non-
infectious causes. Infectious causes
include both viral infections, such as HIV
or upper respiratory viruses, and
bacterial infections. Less commonly,
fungal or parasitic.

5. Cont.
i) Bacterial infections:
 staphylococcus,
 streptococcus,
 mycobacterium in Tuberculosis
ii) Viral infections:
 HIV
 Epstein-Barr virus

6. Cont.
Noninfectious causes of lymphadenitis
include:
iii) Lymphoma (Cancer of the lymph
nodes).
In lymphadenitis, the nodes will swell near
the site of an underlying infection ,
inflammation , or tumor

7. Signs and symptoms.
i. Hard, swollen or tender lymph nodes
ii. Itchy skin
iii. Redness, warmth or swelling
iv. High grade fever
v. pain

8. Diagnosis/ investigations.
i. Physical exam will reveal the swelling
ii. Blood test – CBC
iii. CT scans for tumor
iv. X-ray
v. Lymph node biopsy

9. Treatment.
• Antibiotics if bacterial caused e.g cephalexin,
amoxicillin/clavulanate, clindamycin
• Pain killer such as ibuprofen to control pain
and fever
• Anti inflammatory to reduce the swelling
• Surgery to drain pus
• If the cause is cancer; surgery, chemotherapy
and radiation therapy.