Mediastinal lymphadenopathy
Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy
Mediastinal lymphadenopathy (pronunciation: me-dee-as-ti-nal lim-fad-e-nop-a-thee) refers to an abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes located in the mediastinum, the area between the lungs.
Etymology
The term "mediastinal" is derived from the Latin mediastinus, meaning "in the middle", and the Greek aden, meaning "gland", and pathos, meaning "disease".
Definition
Mediastinal lymphadenopathy is a condition characterized by the enlargement of the lymph nodes in the mediastinum. This can be a sign of various diseases, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer, particularly lung cancer and lymphoma.
Symptoms
Symptoms of mediastinal lymphadenopathy can vary depending on the underlying cause, but may include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever. In some cases, the condition may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other conditions.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy typically involves imaging tests such as a chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, or positron emission tomography (PET) scan. In some cases, a biopsy of the enlarged lymph nodes may be performed to determine the cause.
Treatment
Treatment for mediastinal lymphadenopathy depends on the underlying cause. This may involve antibiotics for infections, chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, or other treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Related Terms
- Lymphadenopathy: General term for disease of the lymph nodes.
- Lymph node: Small, bean-shaped structures that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease.
- Mediastinum: The space in the chest between the lungs, containing the heart, large blood vessels, and other structures.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mediastinal lymphadenopathy
- Wikipedia's article - Mediastinal lymphadenopathy
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