46. CHRONIC NON-SPECIFIC LYMPHADENITIS

how many lymph nodes are in the body? how many of these are in the head and neck area?

800 in the body

300 in the head and neck region

what are the lymph nodes in the outer circle of the head and neck?

- submandibular

- submental

- pre-auricular

- post-auricular

- occipital

- superficial cervical

what are the lymph nodes in the inner circle of the head and neck?

- pre-trachel

- paratrachel

- retropharyngeal

- Waldeyer's ring

what are the deep cervical lymph nodes in the neck?

- upper group

- lower group

what is lymphadenitis?

inflammation of the lymph nodes which can lead to an abscess if not treated

all of the lymph node structure is destroyed except the outer membrane

what is the etiology of lymphadenitis?

acute or exacerbated periodontitis

suppuration of radicular cyst/osteomyelitis/sialodenitis

non-specific bacterial inflammation

specific infection by T.pallidum or Actinomyces

what are the features in lymph nodes in chronic lymphadenitis ?

enlarged nodes

round/oval

sold-elastic consistency

mobile

painless

is the general health affected in chronic lymphadenitis?

no it is not

what is the differential diagnoses for chronic lymphadenitis?

malignancies- lymphomas or leukaemias

autoimmune disorders- lupus erythematous, rheumatoid arthritis

what is the treatment for chronic lymphadenitis?

1. remove the causative tooth

2. antibiotics

3. NSAIDs

4. physiotherapy

5. if no resolution- removal of the lymph node

which antibiotics are used?

Zinnat ( a cephalosporin )

500mg

every 8h