Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin - what danger does the body warn about?

Lymph nodes in the groin area are an important component of the male body. They protect it from various infections, kill dangerous microbes that penetrate through the lymph flows. Their overload is unsafe for humans. It causes the lymph nodes to become inflamed and increase in size. As a result, a disease is diagnosed - inguinal lymphadenitis in men.

Causes

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Inguinal lymphadenitis occurs for various reasons: from damage to the lymph node itself to the introduction of pathogenic flora by blood and lymph. This disease is also a diagnostic sign of certain pathologies.

Nonspecific lymphadenitis

Nonspecific lymphadenitis can be caused by various pathological microflora, which enter the lymph node through the bloodstream (secondary lymphadenitis) or by direct damage to the node itself (primary). In this case, the development of lymphadenitis most often involves staphylococci and streptococci, which can enter the lymph node from other parts of the body - purulent wounds, abscesses, phlegmons, trophic ulcers and even from untreated caries. If we talk about inguinal lymphadenitis, then most often microbes can enter the lymph node through wounds on the feet and genitals.

Specific lymphadenitis

This form of pathology has a different nature - its development of inflammation is based on specific microorganisms that cause a certain disease, the complication of which is lymphadenitis. In this case, an inflamed lymph node can become a diagnostic sign for tuberculosis, syphilis, actinomycosis or gonorrhea, as well as chlamydial infection. In this case, treatment should be directed to the original source, and inflammation of the lymph node may go away on its own.

Diagnosis of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in men and swelling of the lymph node in the groin in men

Key aspects of the medical history that help in the diagnostic examination and in the differential diagnosis of inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes in men are:

• Patient age : 79% of biopsies taken from young patients (40 years old) suggest a malignant nature of the disease.
• Symptoms of infection . These include: skin ulceration, localized soreness, genital ulcers, fever, night sweats, etc.
• Epidemiological clues : exposure to animals, harmful substances, travel to other countries where infection may have occurred.
• Medication history : Some drugs (eg, phenytoin) are a common cause of lymphadenitis.
• Duration of the disease : persistent inflammation of the lymph node in the groin in men (more than 4 weeks) indicates a chronic infection or malignancy of the tumor, while localized lymphadenitis of short duration often accompanies some infections (for example, infectious mononucleosis).

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Development of the disease

Lymphadenitis of any origin can have an acute and chronic course. An acute course is characteristic of a nonspecific form of the disease. The acute course is usually divided into three stages:

1. Catarrhal. The lymph node increases in size, the skin turns red, and the membranes of the sinuses (formations inside the lymph node) are damaged.
2. Hyperplastic. At this stage, the node is saturated with serous contents, leukocytes join it - if the course is unfavorable, pus will begin to form. At this stage, the inflammatory process is limited to the capsule of the lymph node.
3. Purulent. At this stage, the lymph node is filled with purulent contents, which after some time breaks into the surrounding tissue. This threatens the development of a diffuse purulent process, which can only be cured with surgical intervention. Given the location of the inguinal lymph nodes and the proximity of various organs, the purulent stage can cause great problems, so it is necessary to eliminate inflammation before moving to this stage.

Medical examination for enlarged inguinal lymph nodes in men

The most important data during a physical examination are: the size of the lymph nodes, their consistency and mobility.

• The size of lymph nodes varies depending on their location. For example, inguinal lymph nodes may be 2 cm in size in healthy people. The significance of enlarged lymph nodes should be considered in the context of their location, duration of the disease, associated symptoms, age and gender of the patient. In general, lymph nodes smaller than 1 cm are rarely clinically significant. In contrast, lymph nodes larger than 2 cm that are persistently enlarged for more than 4 weeks should be carefully evaluated.
• Consistency : nodes that are hard to the touch are more common in malignant tumors, while soft, enlarged nodes often accompany inflammatory disorders. If a single enlarged lymph node with a hard consistency and a lumpy surface is detected in a patient, the doctor must exclude cancer of the lymph nodes. For this purpose, a general blood test is prescribed. If the cause of “swelling” of the lymph node is inguinal lymphadenitis, then the blood will have an increased content of leukocytes and an increased ESR. In cancer, the leukocyte formula does not change, and the ESR is accelerated. The patient will also be sent for an ultrasound of the groin area.
• Motility: Fixed or tangled nodes suggest metastasis, while freely mobile nodes may occur due to infection.

Inguinal lymphadenitis: warning signs

Consult your doctor if:

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area.
• Increasing pain in the groin.
• The appearance of redness of the skin around the lymph glands.
• No improvement after treatment with antibiotics for 2 days.
• The appearance of red stripes on the skin of the leg or groin.
• Fever and temperature 38.8 C or higher.
• Repeated vomiting.

Symptoms of lymphadenitis

Nonspecific form

The symptoms of acute nonspecific lymphadenitis are similar to those of other purulent inflammations - abscesses, phlegmon. They usually appear during the purulent stage of inflammation:

• In acute lymphadentitis, all symptoms of intoxication of the body appear (fever, chills, etc.)

  heat;

• headache;
• loss of appetite;
• general malaise;
• enlargement of the affected lymph nodes, blurring of their contours;
• pain when moving in the affected nodes.

Acute inguinal lymphadenitis is characterized by severe pain with any movement or erection. Sexual activity during the period of illness is impossible due to severe pain.

Specific form

With a specific form of inflammation, there are some differences:

• with gonorrhea, the nodes are sharply enlarged and very painful;
• with tuberculosis, purulent and necrotic degeneration of lymphatic tissue is most often observed;
• with syphilis, the nodes are enlarged and painful, but do not fester;
• when infected with chlamydia, several lymph nodes are involved in the inflammatory process;

That is why inflamed nodes can serve as a diagnostic sign when making a diagnosis.

Chronic form

The chronic form of lymphadenitis has a less aggressive course. In the chronic form, the lymph node swells slightly and is almost painless to the touch. Symptoms of malaise are absent or mild. But do not forget that the chronic form can become acute, so any form of the disease should be examined.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of lymphadenitis is usually made based on the typical clinical picture and history. Diagnosis of purulent inflammation with the spread of pus into the subcutaneous fat comes down to searching for the primary focus. When the form is diffuse, you can hear a crunching sound upon palpation - one of the signs of purulent melting of the node.

In indolent forms of the disease, a tissue biopsy may be required to determine the causative agent.

With a specific form, the diagnosis is made on the basis of certain laboratory tests. For example, for gonorrhea they will look for gonococci, for tuberculosis - Koch's bacillus, for syphilis - Treponema pallidum. In this case, the nature of the diagnosis is determined by the primary disease.

Treatment

The method and success of treatment directly depend on the stage of the disease. Mild inflammation that is still “sitting” in the capsule can be easily cured using a conservative method. Diffuse purulent inflammation can only be treated with surgical intervention:

1. Antibiotics are used in drug therapy for lymphadenitis

   Conservative treatment. Indicated for catarrhal and hyperplastic stages of acute nonspecific lymphadenitis. It includes applying cold compresses to the inguinal lymph nodes, antibiotic therapy, taking NSAIDs and analgesics, as well as UHF therapy and a balanced diet (rich in vitamins). Treatment of a specific form includes treatment of the primary lesion (antibiotics against gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia).

2. Surgical intervention. Surgery is indicated at the purulent stage of lymphadenitis. Includes opening a purulent focus, cleaning the cavity from decay products, installing drains to wash the wound, adequate antibiotic therapy, measures to remove toxins from the body, as well as bed rest. The complexity of the operation directly depends on the location of the lymph node. The inguinal lymph nodes are located in a region with a rich network of blood vessels and nerves, so their removal (especially after the spread of pus into the subcutaneous fat) is somewhat difficult. Therefore, it is advisable to start treatment as early as possible.

Treatment of lymph nodes in the groin in men, children and women: possible complications of the disease

Treatment of lymph nodes in the groin in men will be determined by the attending physician based on the following grounds:

• The scale of the problem.
• The age, general health, and medical history of the patient.
• Tolerance to specific medications or procedures.

The exact type of treatment depends on what kind of infection has spread to the lymph nodes. Once the infection has penetrated the inguinal lymph nodes, it can quickly “move” to other parts of the body, so it is very important to quickly find the cause of lymphadenitis and begin treatment.

Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics. Treatment of inguinal lymphadenitis may include:

• 
  warm compresses;

• taking oral antibiotics;
• taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Ketoprofen;
• draining fluid from the lymph glands using a needle;
• incision and drainage (pus is drained from the infected lymph node).

What happens during incision and drainage:

• The skin is sterilized using alcohol or antibacterial soap.
• A local anesthetic is injected into the tissue surrounding the lymph glands.
• The doctor makes an incision with a scalpel and drains the pus from the lymph glands.
• The cavity of the node is treated with various antiseptic solutions (chlorhexidine, miramistin, etc.).
• In some cases, a strip of sterile gauze is left inside the nodule cavity for 24 to 36 hours.

In the past, removal of the changed lymph nodes was practiced. Now doctors extremely rarely resort to such an operation, because subsequently the outflow of lymph worsens and lymphostasis (lymph stagnation) occurs.

Treatment of lymph nodes in the groin in men and women at home includes:

• Avoid putting pressure on swollen glands.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Place a warm compress on the sore area and keep it there, doing this every 4 hours.
• Do not skip doses of your doctor-prescribed medications. This makes them less effective.

Pain relief from inguinal lymphadenitis in adults

Medicines commonly used to control pain and inflammation in adults:

1. Acetaminophen helps reduce pain, but does not have anti-inflammatory properties. Adult dosage: 2 tablets (325 mg) every 4 hours or 2 tablets (500 mg) every 6 hours. The maximum dose is 4000 mg per day. Avoid this drug if you have alcoholism, liver disease, or an allergy to the tablet's ingredients. See instructions.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Ketoprofen. Reduce pain, fever and inflammation.

Aspirin: 2 tablets (325 mg) every 4 hours with food. There are many products that contain aspirin. Follow the instructions and precautions when taking NSAIDs.

Ibuprofen: every Do not exceed 1200 mg per day without a doctor's recommendation.

Naproxen: 200 or 220 mg twice daily with meals. Do not exceed 500 mg per day.

Ketoprofen: 12.5 mg every hour with food. Do not exceed 75 mg per day.

NSAIDs: precautions for the treatment of lymph nodes in the groin in men:

• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking any of these drugs.
• Do not mix prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
• NSAIDs may interact with other blood thinners and cause bleeding.
• Ask your doctor if you can use NSAIDs if you have an allergy to aspirin, asthma, peptic ulcers, stomach ulcers, esophageal ulcers, bleeding disorders, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Treatment of pain due to inguinal lymphadenitis

Common medications used at home to treat pain in children include:

• "Acetaminophen" . Dosage - per kilogram of body weight every up to an adult dose. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose. Avoid giving the drug to children with liver disease or an allergy to acetaminophen.
• "Ibuprofen" . The dosage for older children is per kilogram of body weight every 6 hours, up to the adult dose. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose. Always follow the instructions on the package. Avoid giving this drug to children with liver disease, kidney disease, stomach disease, or bleeding problems.
• "Naproxen" . The dosage for children 13 years of age and older is 200 mg twice daily with meals. Do not exceed 500 mg per day. Always follow the instructions on the package. Avoid giving this drug to children with liver disease, kidney disease, stomach disease, or bleeding problems.

Aspirin and most other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in children only under medical supervision. Their uncontrolled use can lead to serious consequences, such as liver damage or blood clotting disorders.

Complications of inguinal lymphadenitis include:

• abscess;
• cellulite;
• sepsis;
• gangrene;
• osteomyelitis;
• septic arthritis of the hip joint;
• encephalitis;
• meningitis.

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Complications

Inguinal lymphadenitis can cause many complications if you do not seek help in time:

• inflammation of the lymphatic vessels - linfangitis, which negatively affects the state of lymphatic drainage in the groin area;
• breakthrough of pus into the surrounding space, formation of a diffuse focus - adenophlegmon;
• soaking the node in blood;
• decay with inflammation of nearby tissues;
• necrosis of surrounding tissues;
• involvement of neighboring nodes in the purulent process;
• sepsis as a result of contact of pathogenic microflora with blood;
• thrombophlebitis – inflammation and thrombosis of veins;
• formation of lymphatic fistulas.