Not always the method of palpation in the study of lymph nodes gives good results. Depending on the location and nature of inflammation, the likelihood of detecting a change in the shape of the lymph node is from 30 to 80%. Ultrasound of lymph nodes gives a much more accurate result, but this diagnostic method needs additional measures.
What is the peculiarity of ultrasound of peripheral lymph nodes?
Peripheral lymph nodes react to the slightest changes in the work of the body, and in the first place, immunity forces the elements closest to the source of the problem to connect. There are such groups of symmetrical peripheral lymph nodes :
- chin;
- submaxillary;
- angular and maxillary;
- parotid;
- occipital;
- backbone;
- pre-neural;
- supra- and subclavian;
- axillary;
- ulnar;
- inguinal;
- poplites.
The change in their size, shape and structure may indicate many deviations in the functioning of the organism, and all of them are quite clearly visualized by ultrasound.
For example, ultrasound of the axillary lymph nodes will help to identify various types of tumors, joint inflammations, breast diseases and HIV . Ultrasound of the lymph nodes of the inguinal region is primarily used to diagnose venereal and infectious diseases. Ultrasound of the lymph nodes in the jaw region is often prescribed by dentists.
When you need ultrasound of retroperitoneal lymph nodes?
The retroperitoneal lymph nodes can not be examined with the help of palpation, so it is very difficult to do without ultrasound in this area. As a rule, these lymph nodes react to such diseases:
- malignant and benign neoplasms of the abdominal cavity;
- fevers of unknown origin;
- hemolytic diseases;
- anomalies in the development of internal organs;
- internal inflammation of a different nature.