Evaluation of lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy is defined as lymph nodes that are abnormal in size, consistency or number. The extent of lymphadenopathy is defined as localized, regional or generalized. Lymphadenopathy is commonly encountered by physicians in clinical practice and requires a comprehensive evaluation. When initiating a workup, the physician should pay close attention to the size, location, consistency and number of enlarged lymph nodes, as well as to the patient's age, duration of lymphadenopathy, exposures, and any associated symptoms.[1]Gaddey HL, Riegel AM. Unexplained lymphadenopathy: evaluation and differential diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2016 Dec 1;94(11):896-903. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1201/p896.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27929264?tool=bestpractice.com Lymphadenopathy may be due to malignancy, hypersensitivity, infection, collagen vascular disease, atypical lymphoproliferative disorders, granulomatous diseases and other miscellaneous causes.[2]Kozuch P, Grossbard ML. Lymphadenopathy. In: Clinical hematology and oncology. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2003;213-20.[3]Habermann TM, Steensma DP. Lymphadenopathy. Mayo Clin Proc. 2000 Jul;75(7):723-32. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10907389?tool=bestpractice.com [4]Brown JR, Skarin AT. Clinical mimics of lymphoma. Oncologist. 2004;9(4):406-16. http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/cgi/reprint/9/4/406.pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15266094?tool=bestpractice.com