Добавил:
kiopkiopkiop18@yandex.ru t.me/Prokururor I Вовсе не секретарь, но почту проверяю Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз: Предмет: Файл:

Ординатура / Хирургия / Библиотека им академика М.И. Перельмана / Книга_1060_Библиотеки_им_академика_М_И_Перельмана

.pdf
Скачиваний:
0
Добавлен:
31.08.2026
Размер:
22 Мб
Скачать
Examination of Lymphatic System
https://t.me/med1917
181
Fig. 7.23: Examination of subscapular group of lymph
nodes.
is examined from behind. Examiner stands behind the patient. Respective examiner’s hand is used for palpation of respective side of the subscapular group of lymph node. Hand and fingers are placed over the anteroinferior aspect of the posterior axillary fold and using other hand patient’ s arm is partially lifted. Nodes are palpated between thumb and fingers (Fig. 7.23).
Apical group of lymph nodes are palpated using examiner’s opposite hand. Fingers are pushed very high up and another hand of the examiner is placed over the same shoulder of the patient to depress downwards.
Cervical Lymph Nodes
Cervical lymph nodes drain from lymphatics of head, neck, face, oral cavity , nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx and thyroid. Left supraclavicular nodes receive from left upper limb, left side chest wall, left breast, abdomen and both testes. Cervical lymph nodes can be superficial or deep. Nodes are placed in different levels—Level I to level VI. Level VII is mediastinal node. Level I—submental and submandibular nodes; level II is upper deep cervical; level III is middle deep cervical; level IV is lower deep cervical; level V is posterior triangle nodes; level VI is central nodes (paratracheal and laryngeal). Level I and level II are further divided into a and b. Ia is submental; Ib is submandibular. Level Va above the spinal accessory level; level Vb is below it (Figs 7.25 to 7.27).
A
B
Figs 7.24A and B: Inner Waldeyer’s ring should be examined
in lymphadenopathy. It is significant in tuberculosis and NHL.
Inner W aldeyer’ s ring—adenoids, tubal tonsils, faucial tonsils, lingual tonsils also should be examined (Figs
7.24A and B). Outer W aldeyer’ s ring—retropharyngeal lymph nodes;
jugulodigastric lymph nodes; submandibular lymph nodes; submental nodes.
182
https://t.me/med1917
SRB’s Clinical Surgery
A
C
Figs 7.25A to D: Palpation of submental and submandibular lymph nodes on both sides.
In generalised lymphadenopathy, all nodal groups
on both sides should be examined. Epitrochlear and popliteal nodes should be examined. These nodes may get enlarged in NHL. Epitrochlear node also may be enlarged in syphilis. Epitrochlear nodes are examined in sitting position with elbow partially flexed; 2 cm above the medial epicondyle in the groove between biceps and brachialis (Figs 7.28A and B). Popliteal
B
D
nodes are palpated ideally in prone position with knee flexed to relax the popliteal fascia. It is felt in the lower part of the popliteal fossa over the upper part of flat tibial surface. Lungs should be examined for pleural effusion. Para-aortic nodes, iliac nodes, liver and spleen enlargement should be looked for (Figs 7.29A and B). Examination of spine is also mandatory.
Examination of Lymphatic System
https://t.me/med1917
183
A
C
B
D
Figs 7.26A to E: Examination of level II, III, IV, V and supraclavicular nodes in the neck.
E
184
https://t.me/med1917
Fig. 7.27: Opposite side neck also should be always
examined for any enlargement of lymph nodes.
SRB’s Clinical Surgery
A
A
B
Figs 7.28A and B: Epitrochlear lymph node
palpation—2 cm above the medial epicondyle.
B
Figs 7.29A and B: Iliac and para-aortic nodes should be
examined in generalised lymphadenopathy. Iliac nodes are palpated above and medial to inguinal ligament. It is enlarged in lymphoma, secondaries, etc. Para-aortic nodes are palpated in epigastrium above the umbilicus. It is resonant, non-mobile mass, vertically placed. It is felt on deep palpation.
Percussion
Sternal tenderness should be checked by direct method. It is elicited in lymphoma and leukaemias. Change in percussion note over the sternum (direct or indirect method) suggests superior mediastinal lymph node mass or other superior mediastinal tumors like retro­sternal goitre, thymoma, and aneurysm. Percussion over the abdomen to look for free fluid is essential. Percussion in respiratory system is done to find out pleural effusion (Figs 7.30A and B).
Examination of Lymphatic System
https://t.me/med1917
185
liver, palpable spleen, para-aortic nodes, iliac nodes, etc. (Figs 7.31A to E).
Spine is examined for tenderness, paraspinal spasm, restricted spine movements and neurological deficits. NHL can involve spine causing neurological deficits (Figs 7.32A and B). There may be altered sensation, altered muscle power in the lower limb with urinary incontinence. It needs urgent radiotherapy/ steroid therapy/surgical decompression.
Investigations
Blood
In acute lymphadenitis leucocytosis with neutrophilia is observed. Lymphocytosis is common in tuberculosis,
A
lymphomas, leukaemia. Peripheral smear may show atypical lymphocytes in lymphatic leukaemia. Nocturnal blood smear may show microfilaria in peripheral smear of patient with filariasis. Specific blood tests for lymphogranuloma venereum or syphilis or HIV may be carried out. ESR is raised in tuberculosis and malignancies. Liver function test is useful in lymphoma to predict the possible involvement of liver. It is also useful during treatment period in case of tuberculosis to assess side effects. Hb% is significant in tuberculosis, lymphoma and secondaries. Platelet count is needed prior to therapy in case of lymphoma.
B
Figs 7.30A and B: Sternum should be percussed for
tenderness and note. Sternal tenderness is significant in lymphoma and leukaemia. Normal note on percussion over the sternum is resonant. It becomes dull if there is mass lesion like lymph nodes in the superior mediastinum. Percussion is done by direct method to check tenderness. To find out the note either direct or indirect method may be used.
Auscultation
Auscultation over the mass is done to find out any bruit due to compression.
Systemic Examination
Respiratory system examination is done to look for pleural effusion, or any altered breath sounds; abdominal examination is done to look for palpable
FNAC/Aspiration
It is useful in tuberculosis, malignancy. Caseating material with epithelioid cells is typical feature of tuberculosis. Langhans giant cells, lymphocytes and plasma cells are also found. Secondaries are diagnosed by FNAC. FNAC is not much useful in lymphomas as open biopsy is better to assess the type and to do histochemistry.
Lymph Node Biopsy
It is very useful method of investigation in lymph node enlargement especially in lymphomas. It is also useful in tuberculosis. In metastatic lymph nodal disease, if repeat FNAC is still not conclusive then only open biopsy is done. Routine open biopsy of secondaries in lymph node is avoided as spread can occur to further level of nodes increasing the nodal staging of the disease. Biopsy is done under general anaesthesia.
186
https://t.me/med1917
SRB’s Clinical Surgery
A B
C
Figs 7.31A to E: Respiratory system is examined for effusion and altered breath sounds.
Abdomen should be examined for liver enlargement, palpable spleen, para-aortic nodes.
D
E
Examination of Lymphatic System
https://t.me/med1917
187
A
Figs 7.32A and B: Spine should be examined in generalised lymphadenopathy for tenderness,
paraspinal spasm. It could be lymphoma, chronic lymphatic leukaemia, spine tuberculosis.
Proper selection of lymph node to be taken for biopsy is essential so that possibility of negative result and need for rebiopsy may be reduced. Large sized/hard lymph node is more likely to be positive than small and soft lymph node. Adequate incision, exposure, retraction of deep fascia and soft tissues are needed. Breaking of the capsule is avoided as much as possible. Unnecessary handling of the node during dissection is avoided. Lymph node is held with nontoothed dissecting forceps. Ideally entire one lymph node is removed for biopsy. But in adherent node it is often difficult to remove the entire lymph node. Imprint films may be taken for cytological study. In tuberculosis cut section of node is yellowish, opaque with caseation in the centre. Histologically it shows caseating necrosis, epithelioid cells (modified histiocytes), Langhans giant cells, fibrosis, and chronic inflammatory cells. Cut section in lymphoma is fleshy, firm, elastic, grayish with often areas of haemorrhage and necrosis. Histologically (in HL) it shows cellular pleomorphism with features of anaplasia, lymphocytes, lymphoblasts, large multinucleated Reed-Sternber g giant cells with owl eye nuclei. Stroma shows silver stained reticular elements.
Radiological Examinations
Chest X-ray
Chest X-ray is significant to see pulmonary tuber­culosis, pleural effusion, mediastinal lymph nodal
B
mass, calcified tubercular lymph node, primary bron­chogenic carcinoma.
Relevant investigations for primary like endo­scopies, blind biopsies, CT of the part is also done.
CT Chest
CT chest is more relevant than chest X-ray to detect early lesions either malignancy or inflammatory condition and also mediastinal nodes. 30% of lesions in the lungs can be missed in chest X-ray but are well detected by CT chest. CT abdomen is done when needed in individual patient basis.
US Abdomen
US abdomen is done to see liver, spleen and para­aortic, mesenteric, iliac nodes especially in lympho­mas. Dancing filaria may be evident if US is done directly on the lymph node. US of specific area like axilla/groin/neck is done to assess the size, extent, relations of enlarged lymph nodes and also vascularity , and relation of major vessels in the region.
Lymphangiography
It is done in congenital lymphoedema to see aplasia/ hypoplasia/hyperplasia; lymphomas (shows reticular pattern) to assess the response for treatment as dye stays for long duration in the lymph node and so node can be assessed by taking repeated X-rays of the area. Patent blue dye or 1 ml isosulphan blue is
188
https://t.me/med1917
injected subcutaneously in the web space of the foot. Lymph vessels take up this dye and make it clearly visible. Using operating microscope, after skin incision, lymphatic vessel is identified and cannulated with 30 G needle. Ultrafluid (ethiodised oil) lipiodol is injected slowly using pressure pump at a rate of 1 ml in 8 minutes. Total of 7 ml of contrast agent is injected. It takes 24 hours to pass through the lymphatics and reach the lymph nodes—iliac and para­aortic nodes. X-rays are taken to visualise lymphatics and lymph nodes. Lymphomas show foamy or reticular pattern. Secondaries show irregular filling defects. Lymphatic pattern/anomalies can be assessed properly and classify lymphoedema as congenital hyperplasia (10%); distal obliteration (80%); proximal obliteration (10%)—Browse’s lymphangiographic classification of lymphoedema. Disadvantages—Procedure is invasive, technically difficult, time consuming, dye may not reach the required area, extravasation of dye can cause complications like sepsis, skin necrosis.
In melanoma radiopaque phosphorus is added to the dye during lymphangiography which will destroy malignant cells in lymph nodes and is called as endolymphatic therapy.
Isotope Lymphoscintigraphy
It has got 90% sensitivity; 100% specificity. It is useful to differentiate lymphoedema from other causes of limb swelling. It is simple, safe, and reproducible and there is low exposure to radioactivity (5 mCi). Radio­labeled human albumin or Technetium 99m labeled sulphur colloid is injected into the web space. It migrates in skin and subcutaneous lymphatics and is monitored using whole body gamma camera. It gives clear images of lymphatics, and nodes in the inguinal, iliac, para-aortic region. Later it gives image of thoracic duct also. Amount of radiotracer is assessed in the inguinal nodes in 30 and 60 minutes. Normal uptake is 0.6 to 1.6%. An uptake less than 0.3% in 30 minutes is diagnostic of lymphoedema. In oedema due to venous diseases, uptake is rapid and shows more than 2% in 30 minutes in inguinal nodes. Thoracic duct, liver and other lymphatic organs in the body can be visualised. It is technically easier and faster.
Mediastinal Gallium 67 radioisotope scan can be done to find out whether mediastinal nodes are involved or not.
SRB’s Clinical Surgery
Laparoscopy/mediastinoscopy/thoracoscopy are
useful in difficult cases.
Bone marrow aspiration is essential once lymphoma is confirmed to stage the disease and also eventually to see the therapeutic response. It is also important in lymphatic leukaemia.
CT/MRI spine to see spine involvement in case of lymphoma.
Other Tests
Mantoux test/guinea pig inoculation test for tuber­culosis; Gordon’s biological test for Hodgkin’s lymphoma; Frei’s intradermal test for lymphogranu­loma venereum. In Gordon’s test affected lymph node emulsion is injected into the cerebrum of the rabbit which initiates encephalitis in few days in case of Hodgkin’s disease. In Frie’s test pus is collected from an unruptured bubo. It is diluted using saline—1:10; sterilised with 60 degree temperature. 0.1 ml of such solution when injected intradermally will show a reddish papule at the site of injection in case of positive for lymphogranuloma inguinale (LGV- L1, 2, 3).
Pathology of Lymph Systems
Generalised Lymphadenopathy
Generalised lymphadenopathy means enlargement of more than one non-contiguous group of lymph nodes for a period of 3 months with each group showing at least one node more than 1.0 cm in size.
Causes for generalised lymphadenopathy are­tuberculosis; lymphoma either Hodgkin’s or Non­Hodgkin’s; lymphatic leukaemia; HIV infection; autoimmune diseases as part of collagen disease; secondary syphilis (secondary and primary syphilis; not in tertiary syphilis); infectious mononucleosis; sarcoidosis; brucellosis; toxoplasmosis, etc. Presently tuberculosis, lymphoma, leukaemia are common causes. Other causes can be present but rare. In generalised lymphadenopathy, all groups of lymph nodes should be carefully examined in detail—neck nodes; axilla; groin nodes. Epitrochlear nodes, popliteal nodes should also be examined. Nodes on both sides should be examined. Respiratory system and chest should be examined for change in breath sounds, pleural effusion. Abdomen should be examined
Examination of Lymphatic System
https://t.me/med1917
in the drainage area like in neck nodes following tonsillitis, oral infection, scalp infection, nasal and ear infection; in the axillary nodes following skin infection, hidradenitis, trauma; in groin nodes follow­ing filarial adenitis with acute presentation, trauma (bare foot walk, ulcers, abrasions, wounds), infective focus in the lower limbs, perineal diseases. It is rapidly enlarging swelling of sudden onset (lymph node) with pain, fever, redness, tenderness, brawny oedema. Once suppuration (pus formation) occurs, fluctuation develops in the centre (Paget’s test is positive). Pitting on pressure is appreciated in the periphery of swelling. Primary focus in the drainage area may be evident. If patient is immunosuppressed and diabetic septi­caemia may often develop.
189
Fig. 7.33: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a patient
with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
for hepatomegaly , splenomegaly and ascites. Looking for sternal tenderness, percussion note on the sternum, and spine examination is must. Fever, itching, weight loss, wasting, jaundice, neurological deficits are important features to be noted (Fig. 7.33).
Causes of Lymph Node Enlargement
a. Inflammatory: Acute lymphadenitis; Chronic
lymphadenitis; Granulomatous lymphadenitis:
(a) Bacterial like tuberculosis, syphilis, tularaemia, brucellosis, lymphogranuloma venereum, Cat scratch fever. (b) V iral like HIV infection, infectious mononucleosis. (c) Parasitic like filarial adenitis, toxoplasmosis. (d) Fungal like blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidiodomycosis. (e) Other causes like sarcoidosis.
b. Neoplastic: Lymphomas (HL and NHL); Secon-
daries in lymph node from most of the carcinomas, some sarcomas, malignant melanoma.
c. Haematological: Chronic lymphatic leukaemia. d. Immunological: Serum sickness, drug reactions,
rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polyarteritis nodosa.
Acute Lymphadenitis
It is acute bacterial infection of the lymph nodes. It usually results following spread from an infective focus
Chronic Lymphadenitis
It is usually due to non-specific bacterial infection. Lymph nodes are enlar ged, discrete or often adherent, slightly tender and elastic. Focus may be from drainage area like scalp, limbs, and perineum. It should be differentiated from tuberculosis and lymphomas.
Reactive Hyperplasia of Lymph Nodes
It is enlargement of lymph node as hyperplastic response to existing diseases in the drainage area like carcinomas or recurrent infections. Lymph node is enlarged, non-tender, firm, discrete and mobile. Hyper ­plasia occurs in germinal centre of the node. But clinically it is difficult to differentiate it from seconda­ries from carcinoma. Histological study following FNAC/biopsy or after radical dissection confirms the reactive hyperplasia.
Tuberculous Lymphadenitis
It is common in neck nodes. Mediastinal, mesenteric, axillary and inguinal nodes also can get involved. In the neck, nodes are involved commonly through tonsils. Upper deep cervical nodes (54%) are commonly involved. Posterior triangle nodes are involved in 22% cases. Often multiple, bilateral nodes may get involved. Axillary nodes are often diseased through retrograde spread from neck nodes of posterior triangle or through blood or from apical lung disease across parietal pleura. Infection also may be following blood spread from primary pulmonary tuberculosis. Occasionally it may
190
https://t.me/med1917
SRB’s Clinical Surgery
be part of miliary tuberculosis also. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infection is more common in HIV , lymphoma, malnourished, immuno­suppressed patients. Bacteria evoke inflammation and cell mediated immunity in the paracortex. Disease passes through five stages. Stage 1: S tage of infection and lymphadenitis; Stage 2: Stage of periadenitis and matting; Stage 3: Stage of caseating necrosis and cold
abscess formation; Stage 4: Stage of collar stud abscess formation where caseating material passes
through deep fascia into subcutaneous tissue and gets adherent to the skin; Stage 5: Stage of sinus formation. Fibrosis and calcification can occur in this node. Tuberculous lymphadenitis can occur in two types. T ype 1: Caseating tuber culous lymphadenitis which is 80% common. It causes caseation, matting due to periadenitis, cold abscess and sinus formation. Here body resistance is less and drug may not reach in effective concentration into the area of caseation and so resistance and residual disease is common to develop. Type 2: Hyperplastic tuberculous lymphade- nitis is 20% common. It is firm, nontender, discrete node without central caseation. Cold abscess and sinus will not occur. Host resistance is good and so shows good and rapid response to drugs. Gross features of caseating tuberculous lymphadenitis are firm, matted, node with yellowish central caseation on cut section. Histologically it contains epithelioid cells (are modified histiocytes—diagnostic feature), Langhans giant cells, macrophages and lymphocytes. Clinically, presents as firm swelling, which is not warm, nontender, matted, usually mobile, can be adherent to adjacent muscles. Cold abscess is soft, nontender, smooth, fluctuant, non-transilluminating, well localised, often nonmobile swelling with free non-adherent skin over the surface. Skin will be adherent at collar stud abscess stage. Tonsils and lungs should be examined for primary focus (Fig. 7.34). Secondaries, lymphoma, chronic lymphadenitis, lymph cyst, HIV , branchial cyst are differential diagnosis (Fig. 7.35).
Filarial Lymphadenitis
It is common in inguinal nodes. Firm, tender, enlarged lymph nodes are common. Periodic fever and pain is common. Thickening of spermatic cord (funiculitis), thickened epididymis (epididymitis), thickened scro­tum, filarial limb are common. Night blood sample
Fig. 7.34: Tonsil is the common focus of the
tuberculous lymphadenitis of cervical nodes.
Fig. 7.35: Tuberculous lymphadenitis
with sinus in the neck.
may show microfilaria in the circulation. Eosinophilia is common. US of lymph node shows typical dancing microfilaria. Biopsy reveals adult worm.
Lymphogranuloma Inguinale/Climatic Bubo/ Tropical Bubo
Lymphogranuloma inguinale/climatic bubo/tropical bubo is a sexually transmitted disease due to lymphogranuloma inguinale, a venereal spreading