Cause Of Lymph Node Enlargement Research Articles

Castleman disease mimicking a hepatic neoplasm

Castleman disease, or angiofollicullar hyperplasia, is a rare cause of lymph node enlargement. This most commonly occurs within the thorax, although rare extrathoracic presentations have been described. Only two cases with hepatic localization have been reported. We present a case of Castleman disease within the porta hepatis masquerading as a hepatic neoplasm.

Pelvic Castleman disease mimicking an adnexal tumor

Castleman disease, or giant lymph node hyperplasia, is a rare cause of lymph node enlargement. Only 11 cases with pelvic localization in women have been reported. A pelvic mass mimicking an adnexal tumor was detected on a routine examination in a 26-year-old woman. Surprisingly, the pelvic organs were found to be normal at laparotomy. Eight years later, the subject was examined for dyspareunia and secondary infertility that lasted 2 years. A pelvic mass, evidently the one encountered 8 years previously, was detected; it had enlarged only slightly in the intervening time. Surgical exploration of the retropubic space revealed a tumor-like mass attached to the periosteum of the left superior pubic arch. The mass was removed by simple resection. Histologic investigations confirmed a diagnosis of Castleman disease. Three months after the operation, the woman conceived without any further treatment. The possibility of Castleman disease should be considered when assessing a pelvic mass. The condition in the retropubic space in women has not been reported previously.

Some relations of the lymphatic system to surgery of the mouth and jaws

1. 1. Some important relations of the lymphatic system to surgery of the mouth and jaws are presented in a brief, organized form. 2. 2. Lymphatic vessels are largely concerned with the absorption of insoluble interstitial particles by phagocytosis, colloid material, and extravascular protein material which is not normally taken up by blood capillaries. 3. 3. The walls of lymph capillaries are permeable to foreign substances of microscopic dimensions. 4. 4. Some factors determining and controlling the flow of lymph appear to be arterial and capillary blood pressure, gravity, kinetic movement, and intermittent massage. 5. 5. Blockage of lymphatic vessels produces a condition known as lymphedema; blockage may be produced by trauma, physical or chemical agents, infections, and inflammation. 6. 6. Lymph vessels have a high degree of regenerative power. 7. 7. It is believed that local lymphatic blockage as produced in acute surgical inflammation helps in isolating the lesion and protects the body from dissemination of the infection. 8. 8. It has been suggested that the lymphatic system plays an important role in maintaining the blood plasma level and aids in the process of rapid wound healing by reinforcement of plasma proteins which is necessary for the reparative process. 9. 9. The cellular content of lymph consists almost entirely of lymphocytes, and the lymphocytic content of the blood normally remains constant except for certain hourly fluctuations but does not remain in the blood stream for more than about twelve hours. 10. 10. The anatomy of the deep and superficial lymphatic system is presented as related to the mouth and jaws. 11. 11. Some common oral surgical causes of lymph node enlargement are presented with a view toward differential diagnosis of other camouflaging diseases.