Lymphadenitis

Lymphadenitis (Latin lymphadenitis) is an inflammation of the lymph nodes that occurs as a secondary response to a primary infection focus. In dental practice, lymphadenitis most often develops as a complication of acute inflammatory processes, such as apical abscess or periostitis, jaw osteomyelitis.

Etiology and pathophysiology

With the spread of infection, microorganisms, their toxins, and the products of tissue breakdown enter the lymphatic pathways and reach the nearest lymph nodes (usually submandibular or cervical). The lymph node acts as a filter, trapping pathogens, which causes swelling, enlargement, and pain due to tension on the capsule.

Clinical significance

Enlarged and dense lymph nodes indicate that the body’s defenses are actively fighting the spread of infection beyond the oral cavity. The condition of the nodes helps the physician assess the severity of the disease. Lymphadenitis usually resolves spontaneously after the cause in the affected tooth is addressed and the purulent focus is eliminated.

If enlarged lymph nodes are detected, thorough differential diagnosis is necessary, as the cause may not only be nonspecific inflammation but also the presence of a specific infection (syphilis, tuberculosis, HIV infection, herpes infection, and others) or a malignant neoplasm.