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What Causes A Swollen Lymph Node In The Neck?

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Posted on Wed, 2 Nov 2016
Question: Hello Dr.

I have an enlarged painless lymph node at back of my neck. It's very hard to point out and small. I am having this for past 8 months. virtually unchanged in size. I did all blood work and all cam normal. I did a CT for neck and it says lymph node enlargement and not pathological.

My question, can lymph node stay elevated for these many months? I travel a lot due to my work (international travel) I have my body temperature ranging from 98.3-99.1.. is that normal? Or is it due to lymph node?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Labs are the correct ones. Temperture within normal limits.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using HCM to post your question.
I read it carefully and I understand your concern.

Lymphnodes are considered not normal if they are more enlarged then 0.5 cm, because our body has normally a lot of lymohnodes which are part of the lymphatic system. So if what you have it is not more then then, you don't need to worry about at all. On the other side, you have done what it is needed to rule out a problem.

The temperature is within normal limits. The upper values maybe slightly higher, but that it is not because of the lymphnodes. May be because of environment temperature, or the clothes you are wearing at the moment.

My recommendation would be to keep an eye on those, and make sure they don't grow in size.

One thing that it is considered to be done in case there is some suspicion, its the biopsy of one of them. But as I said, looks like every lab has resulted normal so you don't need to worry about.

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer.

Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (1 hour later)
thanks Dr. CT of neck says "shotty bilateral lymphedopathy present but none of them pathologically enlarged" at impression section it says " no mass or enlarged lymph node present in cervical region" the enlargement which I feel is on cervical region, but CT says there is no lymp node enlargement is present in cervical region.

is bilateral region is different that cervical?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Bilaterally means both sides of the neck (in this case)

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

Thank you for the follow-up question.

Bilaterally means both sides.
And when it says "not pathologically enlarged" means that there is no enlargement.

So, as I understand it it basically says: " in cervical region, there is no enlargement of lymphnodes in both sides"

What you feel may not be a lymphnode, and if you are a thin person then you can feel the lymphnodes, which are normal and not enlarged.

A CT is a very accurate test and it is very detailed in what they have seen.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (5 hours later)
I appreciate your valuable time. I would be grateful if you can review the attached CT report. my anxiety level is too high die to this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Given explanation of the CT report

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I read your CT report.
-- Shotty lymph nodes which are small, often hard, lymph nodes that are usually of no clinical concern. The term "shotty" comes from that fact that they have a similar feel to buckshot or pellets. So, those lymph nodes you feel are not to worry about.
-- Also I see cervical lordoses (flattening of the normal arch of the neck) due to positioning. If yo feel neck pain sometimes it is from this.
-- At the end of the neck (Level C5-C6), where the neck connects with the trunk, there is mild degenerative posterior osteophytes. This still means that you may have neck pain once in a while or in the future. It is a type of artritis, like the arthritis we can get in all the joints with the age due to use (knees most commonly). The osteophytes are small bones that come out of the joint that develop due to arthritis. So, one idea it is that maybe what you are feeling, if what you feel it is unmovable, are this osteophytes.

I hope this has helped a bit. You have no reason to worry from what I see from this result. Just monitor them for changes.
Feel free to write me back if you have other questions.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (52 minutes later)
that give me some relief dr. so the report said the enlargement is not a lymph node enlargement?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, there is no lymph node enlargment

Detailed Answer:
I'm happy that I could be of help.

Yes, the report says that there is no lymph node enlargement to be considered a problem.

If you don't have other question, please don't forget to close and rate the answer.

Regards and take care.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Klarida Papaqako

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1803 Questions

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What Causes A Swollen Lymph Node In The Neck?

Brief Answer: Labs are the correct ones. Temperture within normal limits. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for using HCM to post your question. I read it carefully and I understand your concern. Lymphnodes are considered not normal if they are more enlarged then 0.5 cm, because our body has normally a lot of lymohnodes which are part of the lymphatic system. So if what you have it is not more then then, you don't need to worry about at all. On the other side, you have done what it is needed to rule out a problem. The temperature is within normal limits. The upper values maybe slightly higher, but that it is not because of the lymphnodes. May be because of environment temperature, or the clothes you are wearing at the moment. My recommendation would be to keep an eye on those, and make sure they don't grow in size. One thing that it is considered to be done in case there is some suspicion, its the biopsy of one of them. But as I said, looks like every lab has resulted normal so you don't need to worry about. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer. Regards, Dr.Papaqako