Subclavian and supraclavicular lymph nodes collect lymph from the face, neck, front of the chest and shoulder girdle. In oncological diseases of the mammary gland, lungs, stomach, and pancreas, an increase in lymph nodes is determined between two legs of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. And the lymph nodes located in the armpits are designed to collect lymph from the arms, shoulders, chest and upper abdomen. An increase in axillary lymph nodes is usually a secondary disease. And it is associated with the presence of inflammation in some of those parts of the body that relate to the lymph collecting pool in these lymph nodes. Axillary lymph nodes become inflamed under the influence of streptococci and other microgranules, but most often the mixed microflora is the cause of the disease. Inflammation of the lymph nodes begins only when not only microorganisms, but also the toxins that they secrete, and tissue breakdown products from the focus of the primary inflammation of such lymph are introduced into these same nodes. With the spread of the inflammatory process not only to the axillary lymph nodes themselves, but also to the surrounding tissues, preladenitis develops, an important diagnostic feature of which is the immobility of nodes that are inflamed. Inflammation is both acute and chronic. Acute lymphadenitis, inflammation of the axillary lymph nodes, can occur in different ways. With the timely elimination of the primary purulent focus, hyperemia disappears, exudate dissolves, the size of the nodes decreases, and the soreness quickly passes. In the presence of a highly virulent pathogen and a reduced immune response, purulent lymphadenitis usually develops.
Its symptoms are as follows: axillary lymph nodes are greatly enlarged, painful on palpation. The skin above them turns red. Close nodes and surrounding tissues are mixed into one conglomerate, they are motionless. The pains become sharp, the body temperature approaches real life-threatening figures. But if axillary lymph nodes are constantly growing, this indicates not only the presence of chronic lymphadenitis, but may also be a symptom of the spread of cancer metastases. For this reason, with a simultaneous increase in lymph nodes, it is necessary to conduct a puncture biopsy and transfer the result to histology.
Before starting treatment for lymphadenitis, it is necessary to remember that quite often the enlargement of the lymph nodes is a sign of other diseases. Enlarged tonsils can most often be triggered by the presence of chronic inflammation, such as chronic tonsillitis or carious teeth. Therefore, it is important to get rid of all potential foci of chronic infection to begin with. If lymphadenitis arose as a reaction to them, then quite quickly its manifestations will begin to decrease until they completely disappear. As an independent disease, lymphadenitis in the vast majority of cases occurs as a complication of the local infectious focus - scuffs, abrasions, boils, and the like. Microbial pathogens, most often staphylococci, with such lymph enter the lymph nodes. For example, if the focus of infection is spread on the leg, then the inguinal lymph nodes are affected primarily, if on the arm, then axillary lymph nodes are affected. Therefore, the main preventive method is high-quality primary surgical treatment of wounds, which can inhibit the development of inflammation.
At the initial stage of lymphadenitis, conservative treatment methods can be dispensed with. For the affected area, it is necessary to ensure peace, to conduct physiotherapeutic and general strengthening procedures. It is relevant to carry out antibiotic therapy to eliminate the microorganisms that cause inflammation, as well as to apply cold compresses to the lymph nodes. And if the inflammation process still reaches the purulent phase, then the lymph node is opened surgically and cleaned of pus.