Examination Methods and Differential Diagnosis of LymphNode Enlargement

Overview

The diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lymph node enlargement (lymphadenomegaly,LAM)is still an important medical problem where even in an age of sophisticated laboratory andinstrumental examination methods individual knowledge and experience of the attendingphysician play an important part. The latter must evaluate the information pertaining to thesize, physical characteristics, anatomical localization of the enlarge nodes, local and generalsymptoms of the patient which are then supplemented by anamnestic data taking into accountepidemiological and working conditions of the examined subject. By syntesis of data the doctorestablishes the working diagnosis of the possible cause of LAM and decides on possible excisionof the node and histopathological examination of the collected material. This step is extremelyimportant in the early diagnosis of potentially curable tumourous diseases where LAM isfrequently on of the first symptoms.

Key words:
lymphadenomegaly - lymphomas - lymph node - differential diagnosis.