Lymph node

Description lymph node

Lymph nodes are located throughout the body. They are part of the immune system and help fight infection, producing special white blood cells blood – leukocytes. They also trap bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. Usually, lymph nodes can not be felt, until they were swollen. Infection, Typically, the virus, It is the most common cause swelling of lymph nodes. Other causes include inflammatory diseases, abscesses, and cancer.

With this type of biopsy the doctor removes and verifies all or part of a lymph node.

Reasons for lymph node biopsy

Biopsy provoditsya, to find out, Why lymph nodes are swollen. It can also be performed in suspected of having a cancerous lymph node cells.

Areas of biopsy include:

• Smell;
• Armpit;
• Neck;
• The lower jaw and chin;
• Nodes behind the ears.

Possible complications when performing a biopsy of the lymph nodes

Complications are rare, but no procedure does not guarantee the absence of risk. Before, how to perform a biopsy of the lymph nodes need to be aware of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding;
• Infection;
• Nerve Damage (including numbness at the biopsy site).

How is a biopsy of the lymph nodes?

Preparation for the procedure

Before the biopsy, do the following:

• Inform your doctor about allergy;
• Report medications and supplements, including those taken without a prescription;
• Sometimes it's necessary to stop taking certain drugs for one week before the procedure:
  • Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • Blood thinners, eg, clopidogrel (Plaviks) or warfarin (Kumadin);
• It is necessary to organize the delivery of home after the procedure;
• If using general anesthesia, there is nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day of the biopsy.

Anesthesia

It can be used in the following types of anesthesia:

• Local anesthesia – It applies only to the area of ​​pain relief, which is subjected to the procedure;
• General anesthesia (used for open biopsy) – blocks pain and the patient support in sleep. Administered intravenously in the arm or hand.

Procedure lymph node biopsy

For samples of lymph node biopsy following types:

• Punktsionnaya biopsy;
• Otkrыtaya biopsy.

Punktsionnaya biopsy

There are two types of needle biopsy:

• Fine needle biopsy – the doctor will use a thin, cannula, to obtain tissue samples;
• Osnovnaya punktsionnaya biopsy – the doctor will use a special large needle, to cut a piece of fabric.

The doctor may use ultrasound or CT scan, to locate the place for biopsy.

Otkrыtaya biopsy

An open biopsy means removing the lymph nodes through an incision. The doctor makes a cut into the skin and removes all or part of the lymph nodes. After removing the incision sutured and ligated.

Immediately after treatment

The sample will be sent to a laboratory for examination.

How long does it take a biopsy of the lymph nodes?

About 30-60 minutes (longer, If you are using ultrasound or computed tomography).

Will it hurt during a biopsy of the lymph nodes?

After the biopsy site in the sampling may feel pain or tenderness. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe pain medication intake.

Care after the procedure

When you return home, you need to perform the following actions, to ensure the normal recovery:

• Optionally hodimosoderzhat place biopsy clean and dry;
• We need to ask the doctor about, when it is safe to shower, bathe or expose the cut by water;
• Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.

The results of the biopsy of the lymph nodes will be ready in about a week. According to him the doctor may prescribe further treatment.

It is necessary to go to the hospital in the following cases

• There are signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Redness, edema, increased pain, bleeding or discharge from the incision and injection site;
• New or worsening symptoms.