HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Does An Enlarged Lymph Node In The Neck Indicate?

Hi, In January of 2017 I found a enlarged lymph node in my neck (anterior cervical), In the beginning March of 2017 I had a horrible case of strep and had another enlarged lymph node (under my jaw) that never went down. At the end of March I went to the doctor about the two lymph nodes. I had a blood test, everything was normal except I tested positive for EBV indicating a recent mono infection. I had a chest x-ray that was all normal, and an ultra sound of the nodes putting them at 3 x .9 x 2 cm and 3.1 x.9 x2 cm but all else was normal. It is now nearly a year later and both lymph nodes are still the same size as they were and have not returned to normal size. They have not grown. I have recently become very anxious about them and have been losing my appetite and become bloated. My doctor says that this is normal and they may never return to normal size. Just want a second opinion. Thanks
Mon, 22 Jan 2018
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello!
Hi, If I were your treating Doctor for this case I would probatory subscribe an antibiotics for example (cephalosporin) and see you again in 1-1,5 months and have a control ultra sound of the neck lymph nodes. Its very important to describe the architecture of the nodes (regular? homogenous etc) If the size was the same or bigger the next step I would do were a serology inclusive ( EBV, CMV, Toxoplasmose and Bartonella Henselae )
In your case you have a positive EBV. An IgM Antibody proofs a fresh infection while a negative IgM and positive IgG Antibody most probably excludes a fresh infection.
Having enlarged lymph nodes over a year and losing appetite should be further checked. In this case you should find an Otorhinolaryngologist to check your throat up to larynx and a biopsy of your biggest lymph nodes should be taken. There are 2 possibilities of biopsy.
1) needle biopsy in local anesthesia. Its minimal invasive and just local anesthesia but the microscopic examination is difficult
2) Total lymph node extraction in total anesthesia including a panendoscopy. If you smoke you should take the second option.
After the pathological examination let me know the results.
I wish you good health.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Does An Enlarged Lymph Node In The Neck Indicate?

Hello! Hi, If I were your treating Doctor for this case I would probatory subscribe an antibiotics for example (cephalosporin) and see you again in 1-1,5 months and have a control ultra sound of the neck lymph nodes. Its very important to describe the architecture of the nodes (regular? homogenous etc) If the size was the same or bigger the next step I would do were a serology inclusive ( EBV, CMV, Toxoplasmose and Bartonella Henselae ) In your case you have a positive EBV. An IgM Antibody proofs a fresh infection while a negative IgM and positive IgG Antibody most probably excludes a fresh infection. Having enlarged lymph nodes over a year and losing appetite should be further checked. In this case you should find an Otorhinolaryngologist to check your throat up to larynx and a biopsy of your biggest lymph nodes should be taken. There are 2 possibilities of biopsy. 1) needle biopsy in local anesthesia. Its minimal invasive and just local anesthesia but the microscopic examination is difficult 2) Total lymph node extraction in total anesthesia including a panendoscopy. If you smoke you should take the second option. After the pathological examination let me know the results. I wish you good health.