Diagnostic approach to lymph node enlargement.
OBJECTIVE
How to reach the correct diagnosis of a lymph node enlargement is still a problem which strongly challenges the knowledge and experience of the clinician. Organized and specifically oriented literature on the right sequential steps and the logical criteria that should guide this diagnostic approach is still lacking.


METHODS
The authors have tried to exploit available knowledge and their personal experience by correlating a large body of information regarding size, physical characteristics, anatomical location of enlarged lymph nodes, and the possible epidemiological, environmental, occupational and clinical categorization of this condition.


CONCLUSIONS
It was intended that such material would have constituted the basis of a hypothetic decision-making tree, but this was impossible because of the lack of epidemiological investigation and registry data. Nevertheless, we present this preparatory work here in order to stimulate the interest of concerned readers and because of its possible direct usefulness in hematologic practice.
Ghirardelli
M L
ML
Divisione di Medicina Interna e Oncologia Medica, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
Jemos
V
V
Gobbi
P G
PG
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008205:Lymphangitis / Q000150:complications; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010173:Palpation; D010808:Physical Examination; D014463:Ultrasonography