An increase in the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child, or mesadenitis, is a disease in which an inflammatory process occurs in the intestine. This disease can be independent or occur as a result of inflammation of the tonsils, respiratory organs, with tuberculosis.
It is important to recognize the course of the inflammatory process in a timely manner and carry out the required treatment so that there are no complications, peritonitis does not develop.
What is a disease?
Enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in children are observed due to an inflammatory process of an infectious nature. It is the lymph nodes located in the abdominal fold, to which the intestine is attached, that become inflamed.
A similar pathology often occurs during the course of many other diseases in the form of their complications, but it can also be independent. The pathological process is accompanied by the presence of pain in the abdomen and general intoxication of the body. Recently, cases of childhood morbidity have become more frequent.
The most common disease occurs in children under 13 years of age. This is due to the fact that the state of the lymphatic system depends on the state of immunity, which upon reaching this age completes the formation.
Classification of Mesadenitis
Depending on how many lymph nodes are increased, the pathological process is divided into several types, namely:
- local;
- generalized;
- regional.
Local damage affects only single lymph nodes. Regional is characterized by an increase in several lymph nodes that are located nearby. The generalized type of disease is one of the most difficult, since several groups of lymph nodes are involved in the pathological process at once.
In addition, the increase in lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child is divided by the limitation period and can be:
Mesadenitis can take any form of the course of the disease. However, it is worth noting that with the course of the chronic form in the lymph nodes, purulent inflammation is observed, which spreads throughout the body.
Causes of occurrence
The doctors cannot name the exact reasons for the increase in lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity. However, experts believe that the inflammatory process is provoked by various diseases. Often these reasons include viral and bacterial infections. In some cases, it provokes an increase in lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in children with psychosomatics. This occurs as a result of nervous experiences and stressful situations. In this case, the treatment should be carried out by a psychotherapist who will help to correct the mental state of the child.
It is worth noting that in the intestinal region there are more than 500 lymph nodes, each of which acts as a protective barrier against possible infection. Often, pathogens enter the lymph nodes from the intestinal lumen or from affected organs. Among the most common pathogens that provoke an increase in lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child, one can distinguish such as:
- colds and flu viruses;
- Salmonella and E. coli;
- tuberculosis microbacteria;
- staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria.
In some cases, the inflammatory process can go away on its own, but there is also an exacerbation of the disease. In this case, the lymph nodes increase significantly, they begin to fester and spread the infection throughout the body. These are only the main reasons for the increase in lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child, since the provoking factors are not yet fully understood.
General symptoms
Symptoms of enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child can occur suddenly or increase gradually. With the course of the acute form of the disease, its symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of appendicitis. Among the main manifestations can be identified:
- sharp, cramping abdominal pains that gradually increase;
- nausea and vomiting;
- increased heart rate and dizziness;
- temperature rise;
- lethargy and breakdown;
- violation of the stool.
Symptoms may go away after a few hours, but often last for 2-3 days. In some cases, along with these signs, the child has a runny nose, a slight cough and a sore throat.
If the increase in lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child was provoked by a tubercle bacillus, then the symptoms are somewhat different. Among the main signs are the occurrence of periodic abdominal pain, malaise, a slight increase in temperature, as well as stable weight loss.
After some time, the lymph nodes begin to swell and can be easily detected by palpation of the abdomen. This form of the disease is most dangerous, as it can provoke suppuration and necrosis of the lymph nodes, which will entail serious complications.
If treatment is not carried out for a long time, then the lymph nodes begin to suppurate, acute peritonitis occurs, as well as bowel obstruction.
Which doctor to contact
If you experience pain in the peritoneum, it is recommended to visit a surgeon. If the disease proceeds in a chronic form, then initially you need to show the child to the pediatrician. In addition, the treatment is carried out by an infectious disease specialist, especially in cases where the disease is of a specific nature.
Diagnostic Behavior
If signs of the disease are found, you should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor conducts a visual examination and comprehensive diagnostics. Additionally, laboratory tests are prescribed, in particular:
- blood chemistry;
- tuberculin test;
- analysis of feces and blood;
- polymer chain reaction;
- sowing pathogens.
An accurate and well-conducted diagnosis should completely exclude the presence of appendicitis. In addition, a consultation with a gastroenterologist is required, which prescribes an ultrasound examination of the internal organs. This procedure will help to timely detect enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in children. Additionally, laparoscopy is recommended (by performing small incisions in the abdominal cavity).
Treatment features
Treatment of enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child is carried out in a hospital. Spicy, spicy and fatty dishes must be excluded from the diet. In the acute period, nutrition must be fractional.
In addition, it is desirable to limit the physical activity of the patient, and preference should be given to calm games. Antibacterial therapy is indicated. In this case, it is important to take into account the sensitivity of the causative agent of the disease to medications.
Detoxification therapy is required, which helps to reduce the manifestations of intoxication. If necessary, painkillers are prescribed. With a very complex form of the disease and the presence of complications, surgical intervention is required. Folk remedies also help well, but they must be used along with medications.
Conservative therapy
Quite often there is an increase in lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child. Reviews about conservative therapy are mostly only positive, since in this case, you can quickly eliminate the inflammatory process and achieve significant improvement in well-being.
The doctor prescribes antibacterial drugs, but this takes into account the type of infection that provoked the inflammatory process. For this, appropriate tests are prescribed, and if it is impossible to conduct the study, the doctor prescribes antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action.
Detoxification therapy - treatment aimed at reducing signs of intoxication. Initially, special intravenous adsorbents are administered intravenously, and then gradually replaced with preparations for oral use, for example, Sorbex, Enterosgel, Polyphepan.
Anesthetics are also required, for example, such as Ketanov, Analgin. Since these are potent drugs, they are prescribed to children once, to eliminate severe pain.
With confirmation of tuberculous mesadenitis, anti-tuberculosis therapy is carried out. After eliminating the acute pain syndrome, physiotherapy is required.
Alternative methods of treatment
An increase in the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in children and an increase in eosinophils are well treated with the help of traditional medicine. With the course of the inflammatory process, home methods are used. A good remedy is a decoction of the root of the blackberry, which helps eliminate inflammation. In addition, you can use tincture of chamomile or calendula.
With mesadenitis, the consumption of a decoction of caraway seeds is indicated. All of these therapeutic agents can be used only with a mild form of the disease. If the disease proceeds in a mild form, then self-medication is very dangerous. Using alternative methods, you must first consult with your doctor, as there may be certain contraindications.
Surgical intervention
In some cases, there may be a significant increase in the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in children. Reviews of surgical intervention in parents are mostly positive. As a rule, the operation is performed in complicated forms with the presence of pus. In this case, a laparotomy is indicated. Its essence is to dissect the abdominal wall and remove 2-3 inflamed lymph nodes, as well as purify them from purulent contents.
The cut out lymph nodes are then sent to the laboratory for the study, and the child is prescribed a long recovery course, which includes taking antibacterial drugs and various physiotherapeutic procedures.
Dieting
Food must be gentle, light, as well as healthy and balanced. You can consume various vegetable soups, dairy products, lean meat, salads, fruits, and fruit drinks. Butter products, fatty varieties of fish or meat, fried, smoked, salted are prohibited.
Food must be fractional, at least 5 times a day. If the child does not want to eat, then one meal can be skipped. It is not worth overloading the body, so you do not need to force the child to eat if he refuses food. Before going to bed, doctors are not advised to eat, only drinking is allowed.
Consequences and Complications
It is very important to conduct treatment in a timely manner, as this can lead to complications. In particular, among the complications can be identified:
- the occurrence of a purulent process;
- abscess of the peritoneum;
- peritonitis;
- adhesion formation;
- intestinal obstruction.
Some of these complications can lead to the death of the patient. That is why, when the first signs of the disease appear in a child, you should immediately go to the doctor.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures consist in the fact that initially it is necessary to carry out the treatment of bacterial and viral diseases that lead to inflammation of the lymph nodes in the peritoneum. It is necessary to take certain measures in a timely manner so that chronic pathological processes do not progress.
Be sure to timely treatment of inflammatory processes. When the first signs of the disease occur, you can not take painkillers, as this can somewhat distort the symptoms.