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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Lymph Node In Groin Area
Question: Hello. My 13 month old had her one year vaccinations the first week of Feb. Last week, my wife and I noticed a few swollen lymph nodes (the largest being 1/2 inch) in her groin (where the pelvis meets the leg), area. We took her in to her doctor day of discovery to have checked. After his examination, he threw out some scary and not-so-scary scenarios, and recommended that we have a complete CBC done. Fortunately, all of the blood work came back fine, and he said we just need to have a follow up in couple of weeks. Do you think it's a possibility that any of the vaccines administered a few weeks ago (MMR, Chicken Pox etc) could be causing this? Our doctor said it wasn't likely, but I just can't imagine that not being a possibility with the injection being in the leg. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Yes, it is possible, but unlikely
Detailed Answer:
The vaccines that you have named in the story which you have detailed so well, XXXX, are most unlikely to produce glandular swellings in the groin; however, as you have rightly pointed out, it is a theoretical possibility ... ONLY IF the injections cause infection in the local area. If the site of the injections is free from any signs of local infection (you should be looking at swelling, warmth and pain at the site of the vaccine injections - occasionally, there may also be excessive crying and pain on touching the injection area , or even fever), you need not worry about infection.
Other than infection, the usual reactions to MMR and chicken pox vaccines include - in some cases only - a rash that resembles the actual rashes produced in measles or German Measles, or even fluid-filled bumps such as those that occur in chicken pox. German Measles reaction includes the occasional development of glands in the back portion of the neck (not in the groin).
So where do you go from here?
Just wait for some more days to see if the glands reduce in size and eventually disappear. In retrospect, then, you could say that they were most probably benign glands .... possibly due to a virus; but if they do not reduce in size over the coming 4-5 days, you have cause to worry about. An ultrasound of the glands followed by needle aspiration of the gland and its examination under the microscope might well be the next thing to do.
Let me know how it goes from here.
Dr. Taher, always wishing the best for you and your family.
Yes, it is possible, but unlikely
Detailed Answer:
The vaccines that you have named in the story which you have detailed so well, XXXX, are most unlikely to produce glandular swellings in the groin; however, as you have rightly pointed out, it is a theoretical possibility ... ONLY IF the injections cause infection in the local area. If the site of the injections is free from any signs of local infection (you should be looking at swelling, warmth and pain at the site of the vaccine injections - occasionally, there may also be excessive crying and pain on touching the injection area , or even fever), you need not worry about infection.
Other than infection, the usual reactions to MMR and chicken pox vaccines include - in some cases only - a rash that resembles the actual rashes produced in measles or German Measles, or even fluid-filled bumps such as those that occur in chicken pox. German Measles reaction includes the occasional development of glands in the back portion of the neck (not in the groin).
So where do you go from here?
Just wait for some more days to see if the glands reduce in size and eventually disappear. In retrospect, then, you could say that they were most probably benign glands .... possibly due to a virus; but if they do not reduce in size over the coming 4-5 days, you have cause to worry about. An ultrasound of the glands followed by needle aspiration of the gland and its examination under the microscope might well be the next thing to do.
Let me know how it goes from here.
Dr. Taher, always wishing the best for you and your family.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for the quick response, Dr. Taher.
As a follow up, I wanted to ask if you felt like it was a good sign that she hasn't exhibited any other symptoms,, or is possible that it's just to early to tell? I've read that if lymph nodes are swollen due to leukemia or lymphoma, it is usually accompanied by fever, weight loss, rash etc. She has none of these currently.
Additionally, I wanted to ask if the worst case scenario comes to light, are the above mentioned diseases treatable? If yes, are they treatable to a high degree of success?
My apologies for the long winded questions.
Thanks again,
XXXXX
As a follow up, I wanted to ask if you felt like it was a good sign that she hasn't exhibited any other symptoms,, or is possible that it's just to early to tell? I've read that if lymph nodes are swollen due to leukemia or lymphoma, it is usually accompanied by fever, weight loss, rash etc. She has none of these currently.
Additionally, I wanted to ask if the worst case scenario comes to light, are the above mentioned diseases treatable? If yes, are they treatable to a high degree of success?
My apologies for the long winded questions.
Thanks again,
XXXXX
Brief Answer:
Don't worry ... he seems to not have those dreadful illnesses.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX
Yes, it is certainly a good sign that she hasn't shown any other symptoms. Generally, an observation time of 3-4 days should be enough for lurking problems to manifest themselves.
As to the second part of your query, of course leukemias and lymphomas are dreadful cancers. However they are also among the cancers with the best outcomes and 5 year survival rates.
So remain calm.
Be blessed,
Dr. Taherj
Don't worry ... he seems to not have those dreadful illnesses.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX
Yes, it is certainly a good sign that she hasn't shown any other symptoms. Generally, an observation time of 3-4 days should be enough for lurking problems to manifest themselves.
As to the second part of your query, of course leukemias and lymphomas are dreadful cancers. However they are also among the cancers with the best outcomes and 5 year survival rates.
So remain calm.
Be blessed,
Dr. Taherj
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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