Definition
Lymph nodes are found in many different places in the body; large accumulations are found mainly on the neck, in the armpit and in the groin. They represent the filter stations of the lymph fluid. It is there that our immune system detects and fights off harmful substances.
They are normally barely palpable, easily movable and painless. A swelling of the lymph nodes occurs when the body has to fend off many foreign substances, for example in the case of an infection or a cold. In this case, the lymph nodes can be painfully enlarged and palpable. However, not every enlarged lymph node is a direct proof of disease, which is why lymph node swelling should always be evaluated together with other findings.
Causes of lymph node swelling after surgery
Lymph node enlargement can occur for a variety of reasons. As mentioned above, lymph nodes swell up during an infection, such as an inflammation, because the body has to defend itself against harmful germs. In this case one speaks of lymphadenitis.
The invaders that our immune system defends itself against can be both bacteria and viruses. For example, in the case of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, it is usually possible to feel strongly swollen lymph nodes in the neck. In tonsillitis, which is mainly caused by bacteria, strongly enlarged lymph nodes can also be found in the neck region.
Diagnostic procedures
The diagnosis is usually determined by palpation of the lymph nodes in areas with large lymph node accumulation. By palpation of the lymph nodes, the consistency, shiftability and painfulness can be determined. In the case of inflammation, the lymph nodes are usually soft, easily movable and painful under pressure.
If the lymphadenitis has healed, they are usually small, hard, painless and movable. If, however, they are small, hard, painless and not displaceable, but rather strongly fused with the surrounding tissue, this indicates a tumor or metastases. For further diagnosis, some lymph node tissue can be removed by means of a lymph node biopsy and examined under a microscope.
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