GENERAL
The lymphatic system of a person - a network of vessels and ducts, which provides drainage and interstitial fluid return to the blood vessels. Due to the development of lymphocytes and antibodies made its protective function.
Lymph nodes are round formations ranging in size from 0.5 mm to 5 cm, groups which are dispersed throughout the body. Depending on their location, they are washed lymph coming from the surrounding organs and tissues, so these clusters are called regional nodes.
Parotid lymph nodes are located in the temporal bone subcutaneously along the back of the ear vein and in a healthy person can not be felt. Typically there are from 1 to 4 BTE lymph nodes. Their increase is indicative of inflammatory reactions in the surrounding tissue.
The lymph nodes located behind the pinna, collects lymph from the parietal and temporal area of the head, moreover, they are connected to other nodes in the parotid region, the neck and around the salivary glands.
The nodes of the lymphatic system serve as original consecutive filters for cleaning the body from foreign bodies. When active circulation of foreign agents in the body, to their suppression in the lymph nodes and the surrounding tissues start to be generated intensively lymphocytes. This phenomenon leads to a significant increase in morbidity and nodes.
lymphadenitis It occurs in people of different age groups, but children of preschool age due to the immaturity of their immune systems are particularly vulnerable to this disease. Capsules of lymph nodes is not enough dense and without walls, which contributes to the rapid subsidence of pathogens on the surface.
CAUSES
Inflammatory reactions in BTE lymph nodes are hidden or acute symptom of pathological processes in the ear, neck region, vertex and mastoid. Together with the lymph node to reach the microorganisms, as well as toxins which on the background of reduced immunity can damage its structure.
Diseases that cause inflammation of the lymph nodes BTE:
- decreased immunity;
- inflammatory diseases of the ear (evstaheit, otitis, Inflammation of the auditory nerve, boils, Tubo-otitis);
- inflammatory disease of the nasopharynx (nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, rhinitis);
- infections of the oral cavity and throat (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, Diseases of the salivary glands, purulent lesions of the gums, stomatitis, caries);
- acute viral respiratory infections, colds, rhinitis accompanied by strong;
- specific infectious processes (mumps, brucellosis, rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, Mononucleosis);
- persons with traumas of soft tissue injury (cat scratch wounds, abrasions, infected skin rash);
- fungal infections;
- allergic reactions;
- neurological disease accompanied by increased cerebral blood flow;
- BTE tumor lesion of lymph nodes, neck and head.
The etiological agents of diseases are opportunistic microflora, specific pathogens, anaerobes, and intracellular parasites. The most common cause of enlarged lymph nodes in children is a viral infection.
Precipitating factors:
- genetic predisposition;
- HIV, AIDS;
- endocrine system diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis).
Identify the source of the disease is difficult, the exact cause of the disease is possible to identify only half of the patients.
CLASSIFICATION
ear lymphadenitis It occurs in two forms: acute and chronic. For acute course characterized by a sharp expression and a relatively short period of pronounced inflammatory symptoms (usually no more than two weeks).
- Catarrhal (no suppuration) - a slight increase in the lymph nodes, their pain, occurs without external changes sheets.
- Purulent - besides the main symptoms of the disease there is an increase in body temperature, intoxication, severe pain, swelling and redness of the skin, lymph node greatly increased.
- Phlegmonous adenitis - develops after lymph node infiltration capsule contents into the surrounding tissue, infiltrate behind the ear has no clear boundaries, there is a general intoxication of the organism, pulsating widespread pain.
- Hemorrhagic - dysfunction of the capillaries leads to saturation of the cavity assembly bloody contents, shape and rare characteristic of plague and anthrax.
Chronic inflammation is diagnosed in case of prolonged (more than a month) of the disease with a strong increase of nodes.
Types of chronic lymphadenitis:
- Productive. Node increases for several months, while there is a change of periods of remission and exacerbation of symptoms. The node status is not normal during this time. Node does not lose mobility, appearance of skin redness no pain weak or non-existent.
- Abscessed. It is a continuation of a productive form of inflammation. The lymph node abscess is formed - this is an internal cavity filled with pus. Its structure is dense enough, the seal painful and loses mobility due to fusion with the surrounding tissues. This condition causes intoxication.
SYMPTOMS
Pain arises from squeezing swelling of sensitive nerve endings. Pain syndrome is different in nature from aching sensations to the stabbing and placed under the jaw or ear. Inflammation can be single or double-sided. With the defeat of the fungal microflora inflammatory processes take place against the backdrop of flaking of the scalp, hair loss and the appearance of the itch.
The main symptoms of inflammation of lymph nodes behind the ear:
- unit volume growth, its seal;
- palpation or swallowing sensation of pain;
- redness and swelling of the skin over the site.
In the transition stage in purulent patient has fever up to subfebrile, disturbed sleep, headaches and reduced appetite. Sometimes on the surface of the skin in the area of the node having pustular rash.
The appearance of a shooting or throbbing pain is a sign of complication of the disease, and therefore requires medical care.
DIAGNOSTICS
The reasons are numerous lymph nodes increase, so the doctor has to get extended information about a patient's health. Sometimes it is sufficient for the diagnosis of visual inspection. This is done by palpation BTE inflamed sites. In addition, attention should be lymph nodes in the neck and the neck. Inspection requires thyroid, tonsils and tear glands.
In uncomplicated forms of the disease is sufficient to carry an effective treatment of the primary disease, then most of lymph node size returns to normal.
In the event that antibiotic therapy did not show the desired result, and the size and texture of the node have changed the worst performance since the spread of inflammation to the surrounding tissue - requires a common analysis blood. According to the results, depending on the level of white blood cells and ESR performance is determined by the severity of the disease.
Results of clinical tests can be an occasion for the appointment of additional examinations: computer tomography, X-ray, ultrasound and biopsy. Careful diagnosis is carried out to confirm the deletion or malignant tumors.
TREATMENT
Methods of treating inflammation BTE lymph nodes directly dependent from its causes. If pathological changes occurred against the background of infectious diseases, the treatment of its distribution focus often causes normalization of the patient's condition.
The main methods of treatment:
- The acute form of the disease may require assignment of antibacterial therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Specific infections require special course of therapy. To reduce the severity of pain and analgesics used anesthetics. Purulent lymphadenitis with foci of necrosis of tissue requires surgical care for the opening of abscesses and antibiotic treatment.
- A positive result in the treatment of such inflammations, accompanied by swelling, provide physiotherapy. Be sure to take into account the fact that the self-heating of the enlarged lymph nodes may cause a number of serious complications.
- If the inflammation of allergic origin, as the etiological treatment using antihistamines. Antiinflammatory ointment particularly effective in extensive inflammation, they are used to accelerate the resolution of suppuration outwardly.
- Inflammation, triggered by a viral infection, frequently does not require specific treatment, symptoms disappear spontaneously within a few days. restorative therapy may be recommended to improve immunity.
COMPLICATIONS
Parotid glands purulent inflammation of the character usually goes away after treatment of the underlying infection, although some time after that, they still remain somewhat enlarged. Lingering inflammation in lymphoid tissue is fraught with its rebirth into the connection. It ceases to perform its function, and inflammation spreads to the surrounding tissues.
Doctors agree about the potential dangers of any inflammation in the head. In the formation of ulcers capsules lymph node tissue can be broken and its contents spread out like, and in the nearby tissue. In the second case, a phlegmonous adenitis, which can then cause a serious condition like sepsis.
PREVENTION
Inflammation of the lymph nodes - a secondary disease caused by pathological processes in the body, so Recommendations for the prevention of possible inflammation of the lymph nodes tend to the general provisions in order to prevent infection, and Development diseases.
Preventive actions:
- control overall health;
- timely dental health;
- increasing the resistance of the organism to infectious diseases;
- Warning of injury to the soft tissues of the head and neck;
- Immediately treatment of wounds and abrasions antiseptics;
- complete diet;
- active lifestyle;
- timely treatment of inflammatory diseases;
- access to a doctor at the first sign of pain or an increase in lymph nodes.
FORECAST FOR RECOVERY
Swollen lymph nodes, which occurs in an uncomplicated, easy manner without suppuration, has a favorable prognosis. Typically, special care is required, it is sufficient to cure the underlying disease. When calming inflammation lymph nodes returned to its original state.
The development purulent processes in the lymphoid tissue of an adverse effect on its functioning and further aggravates the prognosis for recovery.
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