European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The lymph nodes are an essential part of the body’s immune system and as such are
affected in many infectious, autoimmune, metabolic and malignant diseases. The
cervical lymph nodes are particularly important because they are the first drainage
stations for key points of contact with the outside world
(mouth/throat/nose/eyes/ears/respiratory system) – a critical aspect especially among
children – and Represent an early clinical sign in their exposed position on a child’s
neck. Involvement of the lymph nodes in multiple conditions isaccompanied by a
correspondingly large number of available diagnostic procedures. In the interests of
time, patient wellbeing and cost, a careful choice of these must be made to permit
appropriate treatment. The basis of diagnostic decisions is a detailed anamnesis and
clinical examination. Sonography also plays an important role in differential diagnosis
of lymph node swelling in children and is useful in answering one of the critical
diagnostic questions: is there a suspicion of malignancy? If so, full dissection of the most
conspicuous lymph node may be necessary to obtain histological confirmation.
Diagnosis and treatment of childhood cervical lymph node disorders present the
attending pediatric and ENT physicians with some particular challenges. The spectrum
of differential diagnoses and the varying degrees of clinical relevance – from infections
to malignant diseases – demand a clear and considered approach to the child’s
individual clinical presentation. Such an approach is described in the following paper.