
Pain In The Armpits And Breasts. Mammogram And CT Scan Normal. Ultrasound Showing Node In Right Axillary. Had UTI And Respiratory Infection. Why This Was Not Detected In CT Scan?

Thanks for posting your query.
Since your mammogram and CT (Computerized Tomography) without contrast did not detect any axillary swelling, the possibility of any serious pathology is significantly less.
Since ultrasound scan has detected a 3cm node in the right axillary region, such a small lymphadenopathy might have resulted from the respiratory infection you had 7 weeks ago. Such lymph nodes may take even up to 3 months after an infection to subside.
The mild pain in the armpits may be a post viral infection pain which is usually relieved after taking mild pain killers like acetaminophen.
I would advise you to go for an MRI (Magnetic Resonant Imaging) scan of the chest to detect minor soft tissue or lymph node swellings. It is more sensitive as compared to CT scan in detecting such swellings.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.


Thanks for writing again.
A non contrast enhanced computerised tomography scan should detect a node 3cm in size.
A magnetic resonance imaging scam (MRI) will make you doubly sure regarding anything serious.
The pain may be a part of post viral syndrome. This will gradually subside. I would like to reassure you that in all probability, this is a temporary post viral syndrome and will subside gradually.
The likelihood of breast cancer is extremely low as a lesion would have definitely been picked up on mammography if the 3 cm axillary node was due to a malignant process.
The minor rise in LDH is not worrisome.
Hope you found this information helpful.
Regards.


You can wait for 2-3 weeks before asking for an MRI so that if the lymph node is due to an infective cause, it will subside by then.
Ultrasound can be misread as a large fat globule in the area will give the appearance similar to a lymph node.
A 3cm node if it is not very XXXXXXX can be palpated on an examination.
The finding of the ultrasound scan might be a mis-diagnosis also.
Please do not worry.
Take care.
Regards.

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