As such a figure of 5 mm is considered normal 6. Mesenteric nodes are increasingly visualized as a result of multidetector volume acquisition and are most easily seen on coronal reformats.Īlthough 3 mm has previously been used as the upper limit for the short axis diameter of mesenteric lymph nodes, up to 39% of healthy normal patients have larger nodes than this. Swollen axillary lymph nodes can range in size from a small pea to a large grape. The swelling may be unilateral (affecting one armpit) or bilateral (affecting both armpits). See the article: mediastinal lymph node enlargement. Axillary lymphadenopathy, also known as axillary adenopathy, is characterized by swelling and inflammation of one or more of the 20 to 40 axillary lymph nodes in each armpit. In the setting of lung cancer staging a sensitivity of 0.83 and a specificity of 0.82 are quoted for CT 5. This does not, of course, take into consideration the fact that all nodal metastases must start at microscopic size, and thus using only size criteria will miss micrometastases. In general 10 mm is considered the upper limit for normal nodes (short axis diameter) 3-5. See the article: cervical lymph node metastasis (radiologic criteria). Measuring short axis diameter best represents the size of the lymph node in CT imaging 9. Shotty left cervical lymph nodes were also present. The designation of a 'matting' configuration of nodes describes the pattern of clustered, seemingly conjoined lymph nodes. This configuration is typically is found in cervical nodes of children with viral illnesses. The upper limit in size of a normal node varies with location, and the size cut-off used depends on the desired sensitivity and specificity. lymph node, both of which were nonerythematous, mobile and nontender. 'Shotty' nodes refer to very small, scattered nodes that feel like shotgun pellets under the skin. Numerous small shotty nodes extended the length of his right posterior. There are many causes of lymph node enlargement which include:ĭrug-induced: e.g.

Small shotty lymph nodes