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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Swollen Lymph Node?

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Posted on Sat, 9 Aug 2014
Question: Sir i have swollen submanddibular lymph node on left side.Intially had low grade fever when this was started and after using antibiotics fever and the size of the lymph node has shrunk a little and remained like that.Its been two months now.My ultrasound report says a small cystic submandibular node ~ 7mm and everthhing in the neck appears in normal limits. my CT scan of thyroid and soft tissue says everything is normal except few lymph nodes in bilateral submandibular region in normal limits .My ENT doctor says it is an infected node and no FNAC is required.But i am little worried :(
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Do not worry relax.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for asking to HCM,
I have gone through your query.

The lymph node size if 7 mm then do not worry ,it doesnot come under criteria of any disease.
There are many lymph nodes in the neck and any infection from mouth , teeth , throat can come to the lymph nodes .Lymph nodes are like policemen of our body they catch hold of the bacteria and kills it in reaction the themselves increase in size , and when increased we take antibiotic to help the nodes in killing the bacteria.This is a simple way of understanding.

If you had fever and enlarged node which subsided with antibiotic 2 months back then no need to worry , it could have been some infection in throat and which decreased with antibiotic.

For any enlarged node the very first treatment is antibiotic only and if it decreases with it then need not worry. And you have CT scan done which is normal .
It is important that do you have any problem now?
If not then relax.

Hope to have answered , if in doubt do reply.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Sharma (16 days later)
sir

My swollen lymph node is still persistent and has not changed in size.I have a question on the ultrasound report.The report says small cystic Sub mandibular lymph node ~ 7mm.When does a lymph node become cystic.When i searched in the internet it says cyst formation in a cervical lymph node is an indicator of malignancy of either thyroid cancer or squamous cell carcinoma.I am really worried about this.Can infection or inflammation cause cystic lymph node.
My CT scan did not mention anything about the architecture of the nodes.CT scan says everything is normal.Is there any possibility that leison is missed in the scan.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (43 hours later)
Brief Answer:
read the description

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for asking to HCM
Small Nodes Less than 7 MM are just reactive Nodes And have no significance.
According to the guidelines any Node more than 8mm Size on USG there are Chances of Metastatic disease ie the Cancer disease which you are talking about.
What i suggest to my patients is to get the Node removed Surgically, and get its histopathology .
ie Get the Tissue diagnosis. It is a very simple surgery can be done under local anaesthesia .
what seems is that there Should be nothing but if its worrying you then get it removed .
C T scan Should have noted The node, but either there could have been error in diagnosis on reporting the scan, Or the scan has taken images at distance of 10MM, and so a node of size 7mm is missed. or thirdly it could be that , your CT scan was before the use of antibiotic and because of antibiotic the pus has formed in the node , which will eventually get absorbed.
So i would suggest wait and watch for the node size to decrease but if it does not and is worrying you then get it removed.
Hope to have Answered your question. ..
In doubt do reply.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Sharma (2 hours later)
Sir

Thanks for the reply.CT scan did recognize the node and in the report it was mentioned as " noted few small lymph nodes in sub mandibular region in normal limits"It been three months now since it has shown up.Shall i wait for two more months for further evaluation.
Off late i am experiencing burning sensation and pain on left side of the mouth(jaw,tongue and cheek).Is it because of the use of amoxicillin tablets
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Dr. Abhishek Sharma

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1110 Questions

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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Swollen Lymph Node?

Brief Answer: Do not worry relax. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for asking to HCM, I have gone through your query. The lymph node size if 7 mm then do not worry ,it doesnot come under criteria of any disease. There are many lymph nodes in the neck and any infection from mouth , teeth , throat can come to the lymph nodes .Lymph nodes are like policemen of our body they catch hold of the bacteria and kills it in reaction the themselves increase in size , and when increased we take antibiotic to help the nodes in killing the bacteria.This is a simple way of understanding. If you had fever and enlarged node which subsided with antibiotic 2 months back then no need to worry , it could have been some infection in throat and which decreased with antibiotic. For any enlarged node the very first treatment is antibiotic only and if it decreases with it then need not worry. And you have CT scan done which is normal . It is important that do you have any problem now? If not then relax. Hope to have answered , if in doubt do reply.