Diagnosis of lymph node swelling | Lymph gland swelling – dangerous or harmless?

Diagnosis of lymph node swelling

The diagnosis of a lymph gland swelling is made by the doctor during the physical examination by palpating the relevant regions. Furthermore, the anamnesis is one of the most important means of finding a diagnosis. The duration of the swelling, painfulness and any accompanying symptoms such as fever, skin changes or injuries in the lymphatic circulation area are asked for.

Furthermore, knowledge about underlying diseases, regular medication, travel and vaccination history, sexual and drug history, and contact with animals are important diagnostic landmarks to determine the cause of lymph gland swelling. Lymph nodes in the area of influence of the internal organs can also be made visible by imaging procedures, such as on an X-ray or computer tomography. An ultrasound examination can also help to differentiate the respective cause. If it is not possible to determine with certainty whether the cause of lymph gland swelling is benign or malignant on the basis of the measures mentioned above, suspicious lymph nodes can be surgically removed and examined histologically under a microscope.

Accompanying symptoms with lymph gland swelling

Depending on the origin of the lymph gland swelling, various accompanying symptoms can occur. These can be very diverse according to their cause. Pain can always accompany the swelling, on the one hand in the area of the primary inflammation and on the other hand in direct relation to the swollen lymph node.

If it is a larger infection, fever can also occur. Skin changes such as redness or swelling are signs of local inflammation in addition to pain, overheating and a functional impairment. If a swelling of the lymph glands occurs in the context of tonsillitis, it can be accompanied by a painful swallowing process.

In particularly fulminant cases, breathing may also be restricted. Furthermore, in the context of a cancerous disease, as in lymph gland cancer, night sweat, a multiple change of bed linen or nightwear, unexplained fever above 38°C and a weight loss of more than 10 percent of the initial weight within half a year can also occur. These three are called B-symptoms and can also occur individually.The editors also recommend: symptoms of lymph gland cancer, symptoms of tonsillitis

Read next article in this series:

All articles in this series:

  1. Lymph gland swelling – dangerous or harmless?
  2. Diagnosis of lymph node swelling
  3. Therapy for swelling of the lymph glands
  4. Lymdrüsenschwelle at different body parts