What causes swollen lymph nodes in the neck in children?

Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck are a common phenomenon in children, so it is important to understand its causes and symptoms. Common causes include local lesions, and some may also be caused by infection problems, so symptomatic treatment is required.

1. Infectious lymphadenopathy

It is seen in acute and chronic inflammation of tissues and organs within the drainage range of the lymph nodes, such as cervical lymph node enlargement caused by tonsillitis, gingivitis, etc.; axillary lymph node enlargement caused by inflammation of the chest wall, breast and other parts (picture); inguinal lymph node enlargement caused by infection of the perineum, buttocks, calves and other parts.

(1) Acute infection Lymph node enlargement caused by acute infection is characterized by soft texture, tenderness, smooth surface, and no adhesion. The swelling stops when it reaches a certain extent. They often shrink or disappear quickly after the application of effective antibacterial drugs.

(2) Chronic infection: The swollen lymph nodes caused by chronic infection are harder in texture, but they may eventually shrink or disappear.

(3) Gonorrhea Gonorrhea can cause tender inguinal lymphadenopathy on both sides.

(4) Chancroid Chancroid can cause unilateral tender lymphadenopathy;

(5) Syphilis Syphilis can cause unilateral or bilateral non-tender inguinal lymphadenopathy.

(6) Lymph node tuberculosis: Enlarged lymph nodes often occur around the blood vessels in the neck. They are multiple, of varying sizes, and slightly hard in texture. They may adhere to each other or to the surrounding tissues. If caseous necrosis occurs, fluctuation can be felt, and it may ulcerate in the late stage, forming a fistula that is difficult to heal and an irregular scar after healing.

2. Lymph node metastasis of malignant tumor

The swollen lymph nodes caused by tumor metastasis are hard in texture, sometimes feel rubbery, generally not tender, may be adhered to the surrounding tissues, and sometimes the boundaries of the swollen lymph nodes are unclear. If large, hard, non-tender lymph nodes appear in the left supraclavicular fossa, metastasis of gastric or esophageal cancer should be considered. This is the entrance where the thoracic duct enters the jugular vein. This enlarged lymph node is called Virchow's lymph node, which is a sign of metastasis of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer.

3. Systemic lymphadenopathy

(1) Infectious diseases such as viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis; bacterial infections such as brucellosis and hematogenous disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis; spirochete infections such as syphilis and leptospirosis; protozoan and parasitic infections such as kala-azar and filariasis.

(2) Connective tissue diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Felty's syndrome, sarcoidosis, etc.

(3) Blood and hematopoietic tissue diseases such as acute and chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphoma, plasma cell disease, histiocytosis, etc.