Do You Know What Mild Fatty Hilum Would Mean For
Question: Do you know what "mild fatty hilum" would mean for a neck lymph node? I'm wondering if it's a mistake (maybe a transcription error) or if it means a mild problem or mild loss of fatty hilum. Have you seen the term "mild fatty hilum" after a neck ultrasound before? Just for background information: I'm 40 and I feel healthy. I have a firm small lymph node that I can feel. I thought it was getting larger and had a repeat ultrasound done. The repeat ultrasound found that it was the same size and the fatty hilum was normal. However, it found another enlarged lymph node, which it says has "mild fatty hilum." Do you know what that would mean? Does it mean a mild abnormality? Here is the exact report.
---
FINDINGS:
No right neck lymph nodes were identified on this study.
Elongated lymph node within level II left neck measures 2.1 x 0.8 x
1.2 cm with mild fatty hilum.
At level of patient's palpable lump is an elongated lymph node
measuring 0.7 x 0.2 x 0.6 cm with fatty hilum. This does not appear
significantly changed in size or appearance from prior study.
Impression
1. Stable appearance of posterior left neck lymph node at level of patient's palpable lesion. 2. 2.1 x 0.8 cm left neck level II lymph node is observed with mild fatty hilum. 3. No suspicious neck lymph node seen.
---
FINDINGS:
No right neck lymph nodes were identified on this study.
Elongated lymph node within level II left neck measures 2.1 x 0.8 x
1.2 cm with mild fatty hilum.
At level of patient's palpable lump is an elongated lymph node
measuring 0.7 x 0.2 x 0.6 cm with fatty hilum. This does not appear
significantly changed in size or appearance from prior study.
Impression
1. Stable appearance of posterior left neck lymph node at level of patient's palpable lesion. 2. 2.1 x 0.8 cm left neck level II lymph node is observed with mild fatty hilum. 3. No suspicious neck lymph node seen.
Brief Answer:
Likely that the hilum retains the fatty appearance
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing into us.
The lymph nodes have a fatty area near the central part and show fat elements and called as a fatty hilum. The fatty hilum is preserved in non-malignant lymph node enlargements. In malignant conditions causing enlarged lymph nodes, the fatty hilum may not be visualized.
In the above report, it is mentioned as mild fatty hilum and usually the word mild is not used to describe the fatty hilum in lymph nodes. However, it can be a statement to say that the hilum retains fat like appearance.
There is no increase in the size of the lymph node and therefore there is no serious concern.
Regards
Likely that the hilum retains the fatty appearance
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing into us.
The lymph nodes have a fatty area near the central part and show fat elements and called as a fatty hilum. The fatty hilum is preserved in non-malignant lymph node enlargements. In malignant conditions causing enlarged lymph nodes, the fatty hilum may not be visualized.
In the above report, it is mentioned as mild fatty hilum and usually the word mild is not used to describe the fatty hilum in lymph nodes. However, it can be a statement to say that the hilum retains fat like appearance.
There is no increase in the size of the lymph node and therefore there is no serious concern.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee