Lymphangitis

Reviewed 06/2018

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Acute or chronic inflammation of lymphatic channels due to a skin breach or local trauma; presents as red, tender streaks along lymphatic channels extending to regional lymph nodes

M...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Trauma to skin, cut, abrasion, or fungal infection
Systemic symptoms:
- Malaise
- Fever and chills
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Muscle aches
Travel to a tropical zone or region with filariasis

PHYSICAL EXAM

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Hot, moist compresses to affected area
Compression garments and weight loss may help lymphedema.
Abstinence from sexual activity (for sclerosing lymphangitis)

MEDICATION

Treat co...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Elevate affected area.
48-hour follow-up to ensure improvement
Work up recurrent lymphangitis to ascertain underlying cause (other infectious organism, anatomic abn...

REFERENCES

Taylor MJ, Hoerauf A, Bockarie M. Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Lancet. 2010;376(9747):1175–1185. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]

Prat L, Chouaid C, Kettaneh A, et al. Cut...

ADDITIONAL READING

Babu AK, Krishnan P, Andezuth DD. Sclerosing lymphangitis of penis—literature review and report of 2 cases. Dermatol Online J. 2014;20(7):9. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]
Raj...

CODES

ICD10

I89.1 Lymphangitis
L03.91 Acute lymphangitis, unspecified
N48.29 Other inflammatory disorders of penis
B74.0 Filariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti
B74.1 Filariasis due to Brugia malayi
B74.2 Fi...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Lymphangitis classically presents with erythematous linear streaks of the skin from site of entry (e.g., bite, cut, abrasion) to regional lymph nodes.
Patients with prior surgical lymph...

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