Adenitis causes swollen lymph nodes and is classified by type. Symptoms include pain and drainage from swelling. Different types include cervical, mesenteric, sebaceous, tuberculous, and lymphadenitis. Treatment involves antibiotics and, in some cases, surgery.
Adenitis causes swollen lymph nodes and is classified by type. Although most people know that there are lymph nodes in the neck and groin, they are actually found throughout the rest of the body. The main symptoms of this condition, wherever it occurs, are pain and possibly drainage from swelling.
Cervical adenitis refers to a lymph node or nodes in the neck that have become swollen. It is usually caused by bacteria and causes a very painful lump in the neck. The patient usually has a fever and the node may appear as a red mass or feel very hot to the touch.
Mesenteric adenitis is swelling of one or more lymph nodes on the right side of the abdomen, usually above the appendix. Often only one lymph node is affected. The bacterial or viral infection causes the swelling, which is often accompanied by a fever. This type causes so much pain that it is often mistaken for appendicitis, and an accurate diagnosis may not be made until after a healthy appendix has been removed by a surgeon. Ultrasounds can also mistake this condition for appendicitis, as the enlarged lymph node can cause the appendix to appear compromised. Unlike appendicitis, however, the problem usually resolves with antibiotic treatment if it’s caused by bacteria.
Sebaceous adenitis affects the skin and typically causes the sebaceous glands to become swollen. This condition is also frequently seen in certain dog breeds, such as the Akita. The sebaceous glands produce oil and keep the skin lubricated, but in people with the condition, these glands become blocked and cause what look like rashes. They are often noticed on the face. Cyclosporine, an antibiotic, often helps resolve the condition.
Tuberculous adenitis, also called scrofula, also affects the skin and particularly the lymph nodes around the neck. It can easily be diagnosed by testing for tuberculosis, and as this disease is now relatively rare, this condition is too. Symptoms usually include one or more neck masses, fever, chills, and weight loss, although if left untreated, it can progress to open sores. Treatment involves antibiotics and may also require the removal of one or more affected lymph nodes as the swelling can damage the nerves in the face. Recovery rates from this complication of tuberculosis are high and, in most cases, the condition does not recur.
Lymphadenitis can refer to any gland affected by bacteria, but the lymph nodes most often affected include those in the groin and armpits. Antibiotic treatment usually cures this form. If swelling in a lymph node is caused by abnormal cell growth, this may be called lymphadenopathy. This can be caused by Hodgkin’s lymphoma and is also a symptom of cutaneous anthrax.
Anyone who suspects adenitis or lymphadenopathy should see a doctor to determine the cause and the best method of treatment. Additionally, since medical professionals now suspect that approximately 10 percent of appendicitis cases are actually mesenteric adenitis, investigating this possibility can be helpful in diagnosing both conditions.
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