Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Primary disorders of lymphatic vessels are extremely uncommon. Much more commonly,
lymphatic vessels are involved by inflammatory, infectious, or malignant processes secondarily.
Lymphangitis refers to an acute inflammatory process caused by bacterial seeding of the
lymphatic vessels and was discussed in Chapter 2. Clinically, the inflamed lymphatics appear as
red, painful subcutaneous streaks, usually associated with tender enlargement of draining lymph
nodes (acute lymphadenitis). If bacteria are not contained within the lymph nodes, they can pass
into the venous circulation and cause bacteremia or sepsis.
Primary lymphedema can occur as an isolated congenital defect (simple congenital lymphedema)
or as the familial Milroy disease (heredofamilial congenital lymphedema), resulting from
agenesis or hypoplasia of lymphatics. Secondary or obstructive lymphedema stems from the
accumulation of interstitial fluid behind an obstructed, previously normal lymphatic; such
obstruction can result from various disorders or conditions:
• Tumors involving either the lymphatic channels or the
regional lymph nodes
• Surgical procedures that sever lymphatic connections
(e.g., axillary lymph nodes in radical mastectomy)
• Postradiation fibrosis
• Filariasis
• Postinflammatory thrombosis and scarring
Regardless of the cause, lymphedema increases the hydrostatic pressure in the lymphatics distal
to the obstruction and causes edema. Chronic edema in turn may lead to deposition of ECM and
fibrosis, producing brawny induration or a peau d’orange appearance of the overlying skin.
Eventually, inadequate tissue perfusion can lead to skin ulceration. Rupture of dilated
lymphatics, typically following obstruction by an infiltrating tumor mass, can lead to milky
accumulations of lymph in various spaces designated chylous ascites (abdomen), chylothorax,
and chylopericardium.
Muir’s Textbook
Responses of Lymphatic Vessels
In addition to blood vessels, lymphatic vessels also participate in the inflammatory response. In
inflammation, lymph flow is increased and helps drain edema fluid, leukocytes, and cell debris
from the extravascular space. In severe inflammatory reactions, especially to microbes, the
lymphatics may transport the offending agent, contributing to its dissemination. The lymphatics
may become secondarily inflamed (lymphangitis), as may the draining lymph nodes
(lymphadenitis). Inflamed lymph nodes are often enlarged because of hyperplasia of the
lymphoid follicles and increased numbers of lymphocytes and phagocytic cells lining the sinuses
of the lymph nodes. This constellation of pathologic changes is termed reactive, or inflammatory,
lymphadenitis (Chapter 11). For clinicians, the presence of red streaks near a skin wound is a
telltale sign of an infection in the wound. This streaking follows the course of the lymphatic
channels and is diagnostic of lymphangitis; it may be accompanied by painful enlargement of the
draining lymph nodes, indicating lymphadenitis.
Infectious lymphangitis occurs when bacteria or viruses enter the lymphatic channels. They may
enter through a cut or wound, or they may grow from an existing infection. The most common
infectious cause of lymphangitis is acute streptococcal infection. It may also be the result of a
staphylococcal (staph) infection
Untuk dokter, keberadaan garis-garis merah di dekat luka kulit adalah tanda-tanda infeksi pada
luka. Gurat ini mengikuti jalannya saluran limfatik dan diagnostik limfangitis; itu mungkin
disertai dengan pembesaran yang menyakitkan dari kelenjar getah bening yang mengering,
menunjukkan limfadenitis.
Pemeriksaan lanjutan bisa pemeriksaan darah dengan bertambahnya sel darah putih
‘the removal of sequestrate and resection of infected bone and soft tissue to improve the
healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue’
Types
Acute Lymphangitis
Nodular Lymphangitis
Filarial Lymphangitis
Lymphangitis at a Non-Peripheral Site
Recurrent Lymphangitis
Noninfectious Lymphangitis
Acute Lymphangitis
Skin abrasion with infection at distal site
Erythematous, tender streaks going proximally
Can occur with Lymphadenitis
Usually with systemic symptoms (fever, chills, sweats, ect)
Nodular lymphangitis
Nodular subcutaneous swellings along lymph channels
Regional lympadenopathy
Incubation period between exposure and lymphangitis can be prolonged
Subacute with few or no systemic symptoms
Filarial Lymphangitis
Caused by parasites
Inflammation, dilation, thickening, tortuosity of Lymph channels
Valvular incompetence
Retrograde progression
Lymphedema and thickening of subcutaneous tissue and skin
Secondary bacterial infections
Prolonged stay in Endemic Areas
Wuchereria Bancrofti
B. Malayi
B. Timori
Noninfectious causes
Neoplastic Lymphangitis
o Breast, Lung, Stomach, Pancreas, Prostate
o Lymphangitic spread of Lymphoma
Chrohn’s Disease
Sclerosing Lymphangitis of the Penis
Tuberculin skin testing
Diagnosis
Historical clues, Clinical features and exam, Epidemiology, and Location.
Laboratory Analysis
Blood Cultures
Swab, aspiration, biopsy
Primary site or distal nodule
Gram staining, Fungal, Acid Fast
Cultures including bacterial, fungal, and mycobacterial
Prolonged incubation, Special considerations
Serology (Tularemia, Histoplasma)
PCR
Blood Film (filaria)
Treatment
Etiology Specific
Start Empiric therapy
Surgical Debridement
Antibiotics, including the following, can be used in the treatment of group A beta-hemolytic
streptococci (GABHS) and S aureus infections:
1. Dicloxacillin.
2. Cephalexin.
3. Cefazolin.
4. Cefuroxime.
5. Ceftriaxone.
6. Clindamycin.
7. Nafcillin.
8. Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ)