The supraclavicular lymph node: the reasons for the increase and the particular treatment

Why supraclavicular lymph nodes are enlarged? The reasons for the development of such a pathological phenomenon will be listed below. Also, you will learn about what these organs represent, what they need for a person, and how to treat them in case of inflammation.

Basic information

Lymphonoduses supraclavicular, enlarged in severaltime, indicate a serious malfunction in the body. And before telling you about what diseases provoke such a pathology, you should find out what the organs are in general.

Lymph nodes are called small glands,which in their form resemble beans. As you know, they are located throughout the human body and are an integral part of the lymphatic system, promoting lymph and nutritional elements, as well as removing unnecessary substances in the bloodstream.

According to the experts, the supraclavicularlymph node and the entire lymphatic system as a whole are an important part of the human immune system, which protects the body from various diseases. Such glands filter lymph, trapping viruses, bacteria and other harmful elements, which are then destroyed by white blood cells, or so-called lymphocytes.

Lymph nodes may be single orgrouped. Their sizes range from small to fairly large. In the inflamed condition, the supraclavicular lymph node is felt in the region of the supraclavicular fossa. Also, such glands can be seen in the area of the armpits and groin, but they already have other names. In a healthy condition, the lymph nodes do not cause pain. In addition, they are invisible to the eye and absolutely insensitive.

Causes of inflammation

Why supraclavicular lymph nodes are enlarged? The reasons for the development of such pathology may be hidden in various problems. Often, single lymph nodes are sore and swollen due to various injuries, as well as tumors or infections developing directly into them or in organs located nearby. Thus, depending on which particular glands are inflamed, you can also identify their cause of increase.

supraclavicular lymph nodes increased cause

For example, a supraclavicular lymph node is inflamed due to a tumor or infection in the chest, lungs, abdomen or neck. Therefore, with such a pathology, it is first of all to examine these organs.

Diseases that cause inflammation of the lymph nodes

Why is the supraclavicular lymph node inflamed? The enlargement of this gland can proceed in conjunction with the inflammation of other glands in other areas of the body. In this case, they speak of generalized lymphadenopathy. Such a pathological condition usually causes:

Mononucleosis, the signs of which are sore throat, fever and fatigue.
Bacterial diseases, including acute pharyngitis (due to the bacterium streptococcus).
Lyme disease (a bacterial infection that is spread by some types of mites).
Viral infection is cytomegalovirus.
Viral diseases, including rubella, measles, mumps or chicken pox.
Cancer, including Hodgkin's disease, leukemia and lymphoma.

Side effects of using the drug "Phenytoin", which is used to prevent seizures.
Adverse reactions from vaccination against mumps-measles-rubella.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Venereal disease is syphilis.

Metastases in supraclavicular lymph nodes

Modern medicine knows the following ways of spreading malignant tumors:

lymphogenous;
mixed;
hematogenous.

For lymphogenous metastasis is characteristicpenetration of tumor cells first into the lymphatic vessel, and then into nearby or distant lymph nodes, including supraclavicular ones. Most often, epithelial cancer is spread in this way (for example, melanoma). This metastasis is well studied, therefore it is quite easy to recognize the tumor at the stage of its origin.

Metastases in the lymph nodes above the clavicle very often develop with lung or breast cancer, as well as with malignant neoplasms in the peritoneum.

Causes of development of metastases

Metastases in an organ such as a supraclavicular lymph node are most commonly spread due to:

age factor (appear mainly at an older age);
size and localization of the initial focus of neoplasm (a large tumor several times increases the likelihood of developing metastases);
associated diseases (chronic diseases that weaken the defenses of the body);
the spread of cancer cells (the proliferation of formations in the organ wall is more dangerous and most often causes metastasis, rather than tumors that grow into the lumen of the organ).

Diagnosis of the disease

Where are the supraclavicular lymph nodes? The location of these glands in a healthy state is difficult to determine. If such organs are inflamed, then they are easily probed in supraclavicular fossa.

Diagnosis of inflammation of the lymph node shouldcarry out only an experienced doctor. For this, he examines the supraclavicular space from the nodal muscle tissue to the acromial-clavicular junction. In doing so, carefully check the area between the legs of the nodding muscles. In this area, palpation is carried out with one middle or index finger.

With a careful and in-depth study of the subclavian pits, their lateral areas are probed directly at the edges of the deltoid muscles. In healthy people, supraclavicular lymph nodes are not palpable.

Other methods of diagnosis

An inflamed supraclavicular lymph node on the left or on the right can be detected palpatory, that is, by ordinary palpation with hands. Also, these glands are available for research in the following ways:

Ultrasound. Ultrasound examination of the supraclavicular lymph node is the most accessible, informative and painless way to detect its anomalous increase.
Computer tomography is a complex method. In doing so, it is used only to assess the state of lymph nodes that are not available for normal palpation.
X-ray examination. This method is used very rarely. As a rule, enlarged lymph nodes are found on the chest X-ray image quite by accident.
Mediastinoscopy, thoracoscopy and laparoscopy.
Biopsy.

The final point in diagnosis and the search for reasonslymph node enlargement puts the result of a biopsy. Other methods of research give information only about the external characteristics of the inflamed gland. And only after analyzing the structure of this organ under a microscope, as well as carrying out PCR analysis and bacteriological culture, it is possible to speak with full confidence about the true cause of lymph node enlargement.

Treatment process

How to cure inflamed supraclavicular lymph noderight or left? Therapy of such a gland consists in the immediate elimination of the cause of its enlargement, soreness and swelling. In particular, bacterial infection is treated with the use of antibiotic drugs, and the virus can pass by itself, without the use of drugs.

A more serious case of inflammation of the supraclavicularThe lymph node is a cancerous tumor. If there is even the slightest reason to suspect that an increase in this organ is associated with an oncological disease, then a biopsy and, of course, a complete examination with an experienced doctor should be carried out.

Thus, if the enlarged supraclavicularlymph nodes did not pass in one month, and while their size did not decrease, you should immediately visit a qualified specialist. It should be said that such glands can remain swollen for a long time after passing the infectious disease. This phenomenon is especially common in children.

Special Information

When enlarging the lymph nodes, including the supraclavicular ones, it should be remembered that:

the size of the lymph node in the normal state is about 1-1.5 cm;
the main reason for the increase in this body is a local infection;
the greater the age of the patient, the higher the likelihood of the malignant nature of this pathological phenomenon;
reception of antibiotic drugs without establishingthe exact cause of the development of lymphadenopathy is a false therapeutic tactic (the diagnosis must first be made, and only then the appropriate treatment is prescribed);
if the enlarged node has not decreased within a month, then its histological examination and biopsy are performed;

metastases to supraclavicular lymph nodes

enlargement of glands and spleen requires immediate examination;
enlargement of the lymph nodes along with an increase in body temperature and pain in the area of their location indicates an infectious disease;
a lymph node biopsy can be carried out from the neck or axillary region, and lymph nodes in the inguinal region are not suitable for such a diagnosis;
Aspiration of the enlarged gland with a biopsy needle does not carry any diagnostic information, because it does not give any idea of structural changes.