Lymphadenopathy refers to the condition of enlarged lymph nodes, typically indicating an immune response to an infection or malignancy

Pathophysiology

• The lymphatic system, comprising lymph vessels, nodes, and other tissues, plays a critical role in body's immunity
• Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease
• They filter the lymph fluid as it flows through them, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances to be destroyed by white blood cells
• Lymphadenopathy usually occurs when these nodes produce more cells or become filled with debris from a destroyed cell

Differential diagnoses

Infective

• Infectious mononucleosis
• HIV, including seroconversion illness
• Eczema with secondary infection
• Rubella
• Toxoplasmosis
• CMV
• Tuberculosis
• Roseola infantum

Neoplastic

• Leukaemia
• Lymphoma

Others