Lymphangitis

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Basics

Description

Acute or chronic inflammation of lymphatic channels that typically presents as red, tender streaks extending (often quickly) to regional lymph nodes

  • May be infectious or noninfectious
  • Commonly occurs on an extremity secondary to a skin infection that extends into the lymphatic vessels
  • May result from compromised lymphatic drainage following surgical procedures, trauma, or malignancy

Etiology and Pathophysiology

  • Acute infection
    • Usually caused by group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus
    • Immunocompromised patients often infected with gram-negative bacteria or fungi; usually secondary to lower extremity cellulitis
    • Less commonly caused by:
      • Staphylococcus aureus
      • Pasteurella multocida
      • Erysipelothrix (fish exposure)
      • Spirillum minus (rat bite disease)
      • Pseudomonas
      • Other Streptococcus sp.
      • In fresh water exposures, Aeromonas hydrophila
      • Bacillus anthracis
      • Parapoxvirus (occupational milker’s nodule)
      • Herpes simplex virus (lymphogranuloma venereum)
  • Nodular lymphangitis
    • Also known as sporotrichoid lymphangitis
    • Painful or painless nodular subcutaneous swellings along lymphatic vessels
    • Lesions may ulcerate with accompanying regional lymphadenopathy.
    • Usually does not develop as rapidly as acute lymphangitis and may not present with systemic symptoms
    • Typical of infections from Sporothrix schenckii, Nocardia brasiliensis, Mycobacterium marinum, Leishmania sp., Francisella tularensis, and systemic mycoses
    • Pathology may show granulomas.
  • Noninfectious granulomatous lymphangitis
    • Rare, acquired lymphedema of the genitalia in children
    • May be due to atypical Crohn disease or sarcoidosis (1)[C]
  • Filarial lymphangitis
    • Mosquito bites transmit parasites causing lymphatic inflammation and dilatation; can predispose to secondary bacterial infection
    • Usually caused by nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti; less commonly, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori
  • Lymphangitis can occur after surgical procedures and lymph node dissection.
  • Cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa is rare. Represents ~5% of all skin metastases; caused by neoplastic occlusion of dermal lymphatic vessels (2)
    • Associated cancers include breast, lung, stomach, pancreas, and rectal.
  • Sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis
    • Swelling around coronal sulcus of penis as a result of vigorous sexual activity or masturbation

Risk Factors

  • Impaired lymphatic drainage due to surgery, nodal dissection, or irradiation
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Chronic steroid use
  • Peripheral venous catheter
  • Varicella infection
  • Immunocompromising condition
  • Human, animal, or insect bites; skin trauma
  • Fungal, bacterial, or mycobacterial skin infections
  • IV drug abuse
  • Residence in endemic areas of filariasis

General Prevention

  • Reduce chronic lymphedema with compression devices or by treating underlying processes.
  • Insect repellant; arthropod bite precautions
  • Proper wound and skin care

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Lymphedema
  • Prior lymph node dissection
  • Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
  • Sporotrichosis
  • Cellulitis, erysipelas
  • Filarial infection (W. bancrofti)

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Basics

Description

Acute or chronic inflammation of lymphatic channels that typically presents as red, tender streaks extending (often quickly) to regional lymph nodes

  • May be infectious or noninfectious
  • Commonly occurs on an extremity secondary to a skin infection that extends into the lymphatic vessels
  • May result from compromised lymphatic drainage following surgical procedures, trauma, or malignancy

Etiology and Pathophysiology

  • Acute infection
    • Usually caused by group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus
    • Immunocompromised patients often infected with gram-negative bacteria or fungi; usually secondary to lower extremity cellulitis
    • Less commonly caused by:
      • Staphylococcus aureus
      • Pasteurella multocida
      • Erysipelothrix (fish exposure)
      • Spirillum minus (rat bite disease)
      • Pseudomonas
      • Other Streptococcus sp.
      • In fresh water exposures, Aeromonas hydrophila
      • Bacillus anthracis
      • Parapoxvirus (occupational milker’s nodule)
      • Herpes simplex virus (lymphogranuloma venereum)
  • Nodular lymphangitis
    • Also known as sporotrichoid lymphangitis
    • Painful or painless nodular subcutaneous swellings along lymphatic vessels
    • Lesions may ulcerate with accompanying regional lymphadenopathy.
    • Usually does not develop as rapidly as acute lymphangitis and may not present with systemic symptoms
    • Typical of infections from Sporothrix schenckii, Nocardia brasiliensis, Mycobacterium marinum, Leishmania sp., Francisella tularensis, and systemic mycoses
    • Pathology may show granulomas.
  • Noninfectious granulomatous lymphangitis
    • Rare, acquired lymphedema of the genitalia in children
    • May be due to atypical Crohn disease or sarcoidosis (1)[C]
  • Filarial lymphangitis
    • Mosquito bites transmit parasites causing lymphatic inflammation and dilatation; can predispose to secondary bacterial infection
    • Usually caused by nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti; less commonly, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori
  • Lymphangitis can occur after surgical procedures and lymph node dissection.
  • Cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa is rare. Represents ~5% of all skin metastases; caused by neoplastic occlusion of dermal lymphatic vessels (2)
    • Associated cancers include breast, lung, stomach, pancreas, and rectal.
  • Sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis
    • Swelling around coronal sulcus of penis as a result of vigorous sexual activity or masturbation

Risk Factors

  • Impaired lymphatic drainage due to surgery, nodal dissection, or irradiation
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Chronic steroid use
  • Peripheral venous catheter
  • Varicella infection
  • Immunocompromising condition
  • Human, animal, or insect bites; skin trauma
  • Fungal, bacterial, or mycobacterial skin infections
  • IV drug abuse
  • Residence in endemic areas of filariasis

General Prevention

  • Reduce chronic lymphedema with compression devices or by treating underlying processes.
  • Insect repellant; arthropod bite precautions
  • Proper wound and skin care

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Lymphedema
  • Prior lymph node dissection
  • Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
  • Sporotrichosis
  • Cellulitis, erysipelas
  • Filarial infection (W. bancrofti)

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