Inguinal lymphadenitis is an acute or chronic disease of the lymph nodes that occurs as a result of the intake of microorganisms, the smallest foreign bodies, tissue decomposition products together with the lymph, which cause an inflammatory reaction.
More often, lymphadenitis occurs in chronic and acute inflammatory processes, for example, a purulent wound, ulcer, boil, fistula, which pass in the body. Less commonly, it can occur in the presence of common infectious diseases. Inguinal lymphadenitis is usually expressed by an increase in lymph nodes, but this does not mean that any increase in them indicates an inflammatory process. In some cases, it may not be the lymphatic process, but the overdevelopment of the lymphadenoid tissue of the nodes.
The fact that you are developing inguinal lymphadenitis can be indicated by redness of the skin in this area, enlarged lymph nodes. With the further development of the disease and not providing adequate medical care, a purulent process can begin. In this regard, these forms of the disease are distinguished: simple or catarrhal lymphadenitis, hyperplastic lymphadenitis and purulent lymphadenitis. Fibrinous lymphadenitis can also occur, and with rapid necrosis of the lymph node, necrotic lymphadenitis can occur, but these forms are quite rare.
If inguinal lymphadenitis is purulent or necrotic, then in such cases there is a death of the node itself and its purulent decomposition. The resulting pus may be in the capsule and form an abscess, or capsule destruction may occur, in which case all its contents enter the surrounding fiber. In this case, inflammation of the fiber usually begins.
Inguinal lymphadenitis - symptoms
With the flow of lymph, the infection enters the lymph nodes. In this case, pain in the inguinal region begins to appear, and also a noticeable increase in the lymph nodes themselves. If the inflammatory process goes into the stage of suppuration, then the pain increases significantly. A painful and dense formation appears near the lymph node , the person's appetite disappears and the temperature rises. The lymph node itself loses its mobility. Any movement significantly increases the pain. If you do not conduct a timely autopsy of the resulting suppuration, then pus will begin to penetrate the surrounding tissue area. In this case, the transition of the process of pus formation to the lymph nodes that are located nearby is also possible. If purulent inflammation is progressive, then the patient will continue to increase body temperature, chills and a rapid pulse will appear .
Inguinal lymphadenitis - treatment and prevention
Until the disease has passed into the stage of suppuration, conservative treatment is carried out. The patient should be more at rest and warm, he also needs to do aseptic dressings, Novocaine blockade according to Vishnevsky and penicillin therapy. Along with this, it is necessary to treat the primary focus.
When purulent lymphadenitis occurs, which is complicated by a phlegmonous or necrotic process, an incision is made, pus and dead tissue are removed. Open-hole drainage is also performed, antibiotics and sulfonamides are used.
In the treatment of chronic lymphadenitis, it is necessary to determine the source of inflammation and conduct its treatment first. If such a source cannot be determined, then local radiotherapy and general strengthening treatment are performed. Removal of lymph nodes is undesirable, as it can lead to lymphostasis and the development of elephantiasis.
In order to prevent the appearance of inguinal lymphadenitis, it is necessary to timely and correctly treat the primary foci that cause the infection, namely opening and draining the detected purulent foci.