These can be the causes of a calcified lymph node

If we speak of a calcified lymph node, we usually mean a single lymph node that is hardened. In most cases, this is due to a benign disease. Lymph nodes often enlarge during infections and thus become somewhat harder.

These can be both viral and bacterial infections. For example, the lymph nodes on the neck are often already changed when a cold comes. Infectious diseases that last a long time, such as the Eppstein-Barr virus, also lead to severe lymph node swelling, which can also cause calcification in individual lymph nodes.

Local lymph node swelling can also occur, for example when skin injuries occur. Systemic diseases such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis can also lead to lymph node changes. Typical for these two diseases are hardened lymph nodes, which are often located in the area of the chest.

With calcified lymph nodes, one must also always think of a malignant disease. Thus, altered lymph nodes can also indicate certain types of tumors. However, a calcified lymph node does not automatically indicate whether it is a malignant disease, an infection or even a completely harmless change in the lymph node.

Diagnosis of a calcified lymph node

In the diagnosis of calcified lymph nodes, the anamnesis plays the most important role. Here, the doctor interviews the affected person and collects information about the possible cause of calcification.Accompanying symptoms, for example, already provide many clues. During the physical examination the changed lymph nodes are examined.

It is important to find out whether the lymph nodes are soft or hard, whether the touch is painful and whether the lymph nodes are movable against the skin. An ultrasound of the affected lymph nodes can then be performed. In the case of calcification, the lymph nodes are usually conspicuous by a brightening of the tissue.

If this is not sufficient for diagnosis, blood values can provide further information. Further imaging such as X-rays and a CT scan can also be groundbreaking. If this is not sufficient for diagnosis, a tissue sample (= biopsy) of the lymph node can be taken and the tissue examined under the microscope.

Calcification of the lymph node is primarily noticed by a brightening of the tissue. The entire lymph node may be calcified, but occasionally the calcification is located at a certain point of the lymph node. For example, the cortex of the lymph node may be calcified, while the interior looks normal.

In addition to the degree of calcification, the size of the lymph node is usually also determined. In addition, the blood flow in the lymph node can be determined by Doppler sonography, which measures the flow rate of the blood. A biopsy of the calcified lymph node is usually performed if the cause of calcification cannot be determined with certainty.

If, for example, no triggering infectious disease is found, malignant causes of calcification should also be considered. In order to exclude these, one first resorts to imaging such as ultrasound or an X-ray. If a malignancy (malignancy) cannot be excluded even then, a biopsy should be performed.

This involves taking tissue samples, which are then examined under a microscope. Changes in the lymph nodes can be detected. If the lymph nodes are calcified due to a tumor, cells from the organ affected by the tumor may also be found in the calcified and thickened lymph nodes.