| Lymph node biopsy | |
|---|---|
| ICD-9-CM | 40.11 |
| MedlinePlus | 003933 |
| LOINC | 66112-4 |
Lymph node biopsy is a test in which alymph node or a piece of a lymph node is removed for examination under amicroscope (see:biopsy).
Thelymphatic system is made up of several lymph nodes connected bylymph vessels. The nodes produce white blood cells (lymphocytes) that fightinfections. When an infection is present, the lymph nodes swell, produce more white blood cells, and attempt to trap the organisms that are causing the infection. The lymph nodes also try to trapcancer cells.[citation needed]
Imaging studies include CXR, CT scans of Abdomen, chest, pelvis, neck and PET scans.[citation needed]
CBC, ESR, serum ferritin, bone marrow aspiration.
The test is used to help determine the cause of lymph node enlargement (swollen glands orlymphadenitis). It may also determine whethertumors in the lymph node arecancerous or noncancerous. Enlarged lymph nodes may be caused by a number of conditions, ranging from very mildinfections to seriousmalignancies.Benign conditions can often be distinguished from cancerous and infectious processes by microscopic examination. Thepathologist may also perform additional tests on the lymph node tissue to assist in making adiagnosis.[citation needed]
Some of the conditions where abnormal values are obtained are:[citation needed]
Lymph node biopsies may be performed to evaluate the spread of cancer. SeeLymphadenectomy#With sentinel node biopsy.
However,Sentinel lymph node biopsy for evaluating early, thinmelanoma has not been shown to improve survival, and for this reason, should not be performed.[1] Patients with melanoma in situ, T1a melanoma or T1b melanoma ≤ 0.5mm have a low risk of cancer spreading to lymph nodes and high 5-year survival rates, so this kind of biopsy is unnecessary.[1]
The test is done in anoperating room in ahospital, or at an outpatientsurgical facility. There are two ways the sample may be obtained:[citation needed]
A needle biopsy involves inserting a needle into a node to obtain the sample.[citation needed]
The patient lies on the examination table; the biopsy site is cleansed; and alocal anesthetic is injected. Thebiopsy needle is then inserted into the node. A sample is removed, pressure is applied to the site to stop thebleeding, and a bandage is applied.
An open biopsy consists of surgically removing all or part of a node.[citation needed]
The patient lies on the examination table and is given asedative. Theskin over the biopsy site is cleansed, and a local anesthetic is injected (occasionally, ageneral anesthetic is given). A small incision is made, and the lymph node or part of the node is removed. The incision is then closed withstitches andbandaged.[citation needed]
The sample is then sent topathology.
With this test there is a small chance ofinfection orbleeding. Additionally, there is a moderate risk ofnerve injury, localizedparalysis, ornumbness when the biopsy is performed on a lymph node close tonerves.
