Symptoms and forms of lymphangitis, general principles of treatment

Causes, symptoms and treatment of lymphangitis

Chronic inflammation of lymphatic vessels of various sizes and locations is medically called lymphangitis. This pathology is secondary and can be acute or chronic. Treatment of lymphangitis may require hospitalization of the patient, if surgical intervention is necessary.

Forms of lymphangitis

In medicine, various forms of lymphangitis are distinguished:

• by type of process – purulent and serous;
• according to the depth of location of affected vessels - superficial and deep;
• according to the form of the course – acute and chronic.

By the diameter of the affected vessels, such forms of lymphangitis are distinguished as reticular (capillaries are affected) and truncular (pathology affects large lymphatic vessels). Malignant lymphangitis is also distinguished - in this case, the development of the pathological process occurs against the background of a malignant tumor.

Lymphangitis in surgery is considered a disease with a favorable prognosis, but only if its diagnosis and treatment were carried out in a timely manner. It is important to seek qualified medical help at an early stage of the development of the pathological process.

Disease manifestations

The following symptoms of lymphangitis are observed:

• increased body temperature - often to critical levels;
• excessive sweating;
• chills;
• sharp headache, which turns into aching, constant;
• general weakness;
• apathy;
• rejection of food.

The following symptoms may also appear with lymphangitis:

• when the capillaries are affected (reticular form), reddening of the skin in the projection of the pathological center, pronounced mesh pattern, heartburn in these places are noted;
• when large blood vessels are affected, red streaks appear on the skin, tension and tenderness of nearby soft tissues are noted.

Lymphangitis, the diagnosis of which was not carried out in time, threatens to progress - in particular, spreading to the surrounding soft tissues and forming an abscess. A dangerous situation is when the abscess spontaneously opens and the purulent contents get into the tissues - at the same time, there is a risk of sepsis.

Treatment of lymphangitis

Any treatment measures for the disease begin with the elimination of the main source of infection. In the case of suppuration, the treatment is carried out in a hospital, the lymph node, which has suppurated, is dissected. If lymphangitis of the limbs is diagnosed, it is necessary to ensure their immobility - the arm or leg must be fixed in a raised position, which allows for a full outflow of lymph. In general, the patient is recommended a sedentary regime, drug therapy must be prescribed:

• antibiotics;
• cephalosporins;
• aminoglycosides;
• antihistamine drugs.

To alleviate the patient's condition against the background of general intoxication of the body, infusion therapy is carried out. If the pathology takes a chronic form with a blurred clinical picture (this differs, for example, from pulmonary lymphangitis), then compresses with dimethyl sulfoxide, physiotherapeutic procedures - mud treatment, exposure to ultraviolet rays will be effective.

The impression of the penis requires special attention. In the case of non-venereal origin, there is no need for specific treatment, but for 2-3 days it is recommended not to engage in sexual relations and avoid injury. If lymphangitis of the penis is diagnosed against the background of a progressive venereal infection, then its treatment is carried out.

You can learn more about the pathology and what epizootic lymphangitis is on the pages of our website https://dobrobut.com/.