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What Does The Ultrasound Scan Report Indicate?
Question: Hi doctor, my son is only two years old, we found a lymph node 5 days ago on his neck as shown in image, we went to the emergency and the ultra sound report is attached. I thought it was enlarged because of the infection, however, yesterday my husband noticed another one right supraculiver area that is not noticible but can be felt moving when pressing!!!
I freaked out as i read this location the lymph nodes are milagnant?! Please help
Other symptoms are loss of apperite for five days
I freaked out as i read this location the lymph nodes are milagnant?! Please help
Other symptoms are loss of apperite for five days
Brief Answer:
Malignancy unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns but don't worry. Malignancy can be a possibility if left supraclavicular lymph nodes are enlarged because left supraclavicular lymph node (known as Virchow node) drains via the thoracic duct, the abdomen, and thorax. It is the junction where incoming lymph is introduced back in the venous circulation through the left subclavian vein. Some malignancies such as lung, head and neck, breast, oesophageal, gastric, pancreatic, gynecologic, and prostate cancers have a propensity to metastasize to these supraclavicular lymph nodes. Troisier sign is the name given to a left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, highly suggestive of abdominal malignancy.
But right supraclavicular lymph nodes drain just oesophagus, mid section of chest and thorax. And any respiratory tract infection can commonly lead to its enlargement. Also, malignancies present with more generalised lymphadenopathy, weakness, weight loss, fevers and hepatosplenomegaly.
So, as suggested earlier I would recommend you to complete the course of antibiotics and then visit paediatrician for complete examination. Else, visit a pediatrician again for repeat clinical examination for satisfaction.
Hopefully he will be completely fine with the treatment he is receiving.
Take care
Malignancy unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns but don't worry. Malignancy can be a possibility if left supraclavicular lymph nodes are enlarged because left supraclavicular lymph node (known as Virchow node) drains via the thoracic duct, the abdomen, and thorax. It is the junction where incoming lymph is introduced back in the venous circulation through the left subclavian vein. Some malignancies such as lung, head and neck, breast, oesophageal, gastric, pancreatic, gynecologic, and prostate cancers have a propensity to metastasize to these supraclavicular lymph nodes. Troisier sign is the name given to a left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, highly suggestive of abdominal malignancy.
But right supraclavicular lymph nodes drain just oesophagus, mid section of chest and thorax. And any respiratory tract infection can commonly lead to its enlargement. Also, malignancies present with more generalised lymphadenopathy, weakness, weight loss, fevers and hepatosplenomegaly.
So, as suggested earlier I would recommend you to complete the course of antibiotics and then visit paediatrician for complete examination. Else, visit a pediatrician again for repeat clinical examination for satisfaction.
Hopefully he will be completely fine with the treatment he is receiving.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
I'm waiting for the doctor appointment, we just moved to a new country and the system is different, Antibiotic is finished today, shall i ask the dictor for blood test or is it enough for him to examine him clinically?? Another question does an ultra sound show melignancy?!
Brief Answer:
Fine needle aspiration cytology
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The most important thing at present would be a proper clinical examination to check for significant lymphadenopathy, source of infections and organomegaly( liver and spleen enlargement). If the child has shown reduction in size of lymph node after course of antibiotics, then doctor may extend the course for next few days for complete resolution.
In case, there is no source of infection and he has significant lymphadenopathy, then peripheral smear examination, ultrasound and FNAC ( fine needle aspiration cytology) will be useful methods to rule out malignancy.
Ultrasound is not a complete test for show malignancy. It's non invasive, so we prefer it as a screening test. FNAC AND EXCISION biopsy are definitive tests for diagnosis of malignancies.
Take care
Fine needle aspiration cytology
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The most important thing at present would be a proper clinical examination to check for significant lymphadenopathy, source of infections and organomegaly( liver and spleen enlargement). If the child has shown reduction in size of lymph node after course of antibiotics, then doctor may extend the course for next few days for complete resolution.
In case, there is no source of infection and he has significant lymphadenopathy, then peripheral smear examination, ultrasound and FNAC ( fine needle aspiration cytology) will be useful methods to rule out malignancy.
Ultrasound is not a complete test for show malignancy. It's non invasive, so we prefer it as a screening test. FNAC AND EXCISION biopsy are definitive tests for diagnosis of malignancies.
Take care
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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