(See "Clinical manifestations and treatment of Epstein-Barr virus infection" and "Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompetent adults", section on 'CMV mononucleosis' and "Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of miliary tuberculosis", section on 'Clinical manifestations' and "Clinical presentation and initial evaluation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma", section on 'Lymphadenopathy'.) Posterior cervical lymphadenopathy may occur with EBV infection, tuberculosis, lymphoma, or head and neck malignancy (either lymphomas or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma). The anterior cervical lymph nodes are often enlarged because of one of a variety of infections of the head and neck or due to some systemic infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus infection, or toxoplasmosis. ![]() The location of lymphadenopathy can often be used to help identify specific etiologies ( table 3).Ĭervical - The anterior cervical lymph nodes are either superficial or deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the posterior cervical nodes are posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and anterior to the trapezius muscle ( figure 2). ĮTIOLOGIES - Lymphadenopathy can be caused by a vast array of diseases ( table 1) and drugs ( table 2). Normal lymph nodes are usually less than 1 cm in diameter and tend to be larger in adolescence than later in life.Ī clinically useful approach is to classify lymphadenopathy as localized when it involves only one region, such as the neck or axilla, and generalized when it involves more than one region. (See "Evaluation of a neck mass in adults" and "Differential diagnosis of a neck mass" and "Peripheral lymphadenopathy in children: Evaluation and diagnostic approach" and "Cervical lymphadenitis in children: Diagnostic approach and initial management" and "Peripheral lymphadenopathy in children: Etiology" and "Evaluation of inguinal swelling in children".)ĪNATOMY AND DEFINITIONS - The location of peripheral lymph node groups is shown schematically in the figures ( figure 1 and figure 2). Evaluation and treatment of lymphadenopathy in children is also discussed separately. The evaluation and differential diagnosis of neck masses is presented separately. ![]() The general approach to the adult patient with peripheral lymphadenopathy is reviewed here. Although biopsy is sometimes the best way to reach a definitive diagnosis, it should be used judiciously. If it was cancer then I would have been dead by now.INTRODUCTION - Peripheral lymphadenopathy without an obvious cause after the history and physical examination presents a diagnostic dilemma. So TL:DR, have had permanently enlarged lymph nodes for many many years and I'm still alive. It just happens sometimes and it doesn't have to mean there's something wrong. After that they just never went back down to their regular size, and according to my doctor (who has done a physical exam of all of them), it's normal for lymph nodes to sometimes stay enlarged for no real reason. They basically started popping up one time long ago when I was sick and had to go on antibiotics. Then I have a bunch of smaller ones, one behind my ear, another pea sized one in my neck etc. I also have one under my jaw, on the right side, just a tiny bit smaller than the one in my neck. Probably the size of a grape cut in half, something like that. The largest one is in the back of my neck. Some of them must be going on 5-7+ years now of being enlarged. I have had permanently enlarged lymph nodes for years. Old post but thought I'd chime in just in case someone ever starts googling because they are worried and end up here. You can use these buttons to filter out certain posts in the subreddit. “Symptom Listing” and “Anyone Else Experience This?” Posts "Great Content!" - Some of our best posts.īelow is a summary list of our rules. ![]() Remember not to substitute anything said in this subreddit as real medical advice. If your health anxiety is negatively impacting your life, you may have to consider professional help such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Health anxiety is a real, and medically, recognized mental illness. While /r/HealthAnxiety is a community for people suffering from anxiety with concern of our own health, we're not certified to give any kind of professional or medical advice.
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