Paediatric Lymphadenopathy - A clinicopathological review

Abstract

Purushotham Krishnappa, Sowmya Ramakrishnappa, John Paul Evangel Judson

Lymph node enlargement is one among the common physical findings seen in the clinics. It can be a normal age related physiological change, may also hint chronic infections and serious conditions like malignancy. Although the underlying etiology often is simple self-limited infection, more serious underlying etiologies must be recognized quickly and treated appropriately. Serious infections and malignancies are important considerations, which should not be missed. Therefore, an understanding of the differential diagnosis is critical in directing an appropriate and timely evaluation. An organized step-by-step approach is essential to avoid an inappropriately rapid or over aggressive attempt at diagnosis or missing a serious disease process. The differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy is broad. A thorough medical history and meticulous clinical examination is important in narrowing this differential.