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What Is Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy?

Nicole Etolen
Nicole Etolen

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy is an enlargement of the lymph nodes located in the mediastinal part of the chest, the area in the middle that separates the lungs. The enlargement is typically diagnosed through a chest x-ray. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy is not a disease itself, but a symptom of another disease. Causes of include infections, several types of cancer, and other diseases. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Lymph nodes are small round or oval shaped masses made up of lymph tissue surrounded by connective tissue. They are located in many places throughout the body and play a major role in the immune system by storing cells that can trap cancer cells or bacteria. Enlarged lymph nodes typically indicate the presence of infection, cancer, or other diseases.

A doctor may conduct a chest x-ray to diagnose mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
A doctor may conduct a chest x-ray to diagnose mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

Several different types of infectious diseases can cause mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The two most common types are tuberculosis and fungal infections, including histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis. Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease that primarily infects the lungs, but may spread to other organs. Histoplasmosis is caused by breathing in the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus in soil or bird droppings and primarily affects farmers, construction workers, or occupations that involve close contact with sources of the fungus. Coccidioidomycosis is also caused by fungus found in the soil, and is most common in the Southwestern United States, Central America and South America.

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy refers to the enlargement of chest lymph nodes.
Mediastinal lymphadenopathy refers to the enlargement of chest lymph nodes.

Lung cancer is the main type of cancer that can cause mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and the disease typically spreads to the lymph nodes before other parts of the body. Once lung cancer is diagnosed, additional imaging tests are used to determine if the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes. This can also help determine how advanced the cancer is. Breast cancer and cancer of the esophagus can also cause this condition.

Farmers are at risk for developing mediastinal lymphadenopathy as a result of fungal infections.
Farmers are at risk for developing mediastinal lymphadenopathy as a result of fungal infections.

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy can also be present in several types of less common diseases, including Castleman’s disease and Wegener’s granulomatosis. Castleman’s disease is a rare disorder with an unknown cause that affects the lymph nodes and immune system. Wegener’s granulomatosis, also rare, constricts the blood vessels and produces granuloma, a type of inflammatory tissue that can destroy normal tissue.

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in areas where the infection is common.
Tuberculosis is a leading cause of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in areas where the infection is common.

Once the underlying cause of the condition is treated, the lymph nodes should return to their normal size. For bacterial and fungal infections, antibiotics or anti-fungal medications are typically prescribed. When the lymph node itself is diseased, as in the case of cancer or Castleman’s disease, surgical removal of the node may be required.

Discussion Comments

anon333107

Bird droppings dry and become like a powder, so when that powder gets disturbed via a breeze or sweeping, it can then be breathed into the lungs. It is similar to how fungi or mold spores can become airborne and likewise breathed in and "infect"/colonize the lungs.

feasting

So many things can enlarge your mediastinal nodes. I know a lady with lupus whose nodes swelled, and I also know a guy with lymphoma who had the same symptom.

The cause is never good. Anyone with enlarged nodes needs to see a doctor, because so many things that could be deadly can cause this.

wavy58

@orangey03 – They don't inhale the actual droppings. They inhale the fungus that is on the droppings.

So, when farmers or construction workers are digging in the soil, they are stirring up this fungus. They can't help but breathe in the airborne spores.

My great-uncle was a miner, and he caught histoplasmosis from the fungus in bat droppings. It's one of those diseases that only certain types of workers are likely to catch.

orangey03

Histoplasmosis sounds hard to catch. How on earth could anyone inhale bird droppings?

Oceana

I didn't even know I had mediastinal lymph nodes! I'm aware of the ones on either side of my neck, because they become swollen whenever I have an infection.

It sounds like the mediastinal lymph nodes swell for more serious reasons than the ones in the neck. That's not to say that both couldn't be swollen at the same time, but I imagine that the neck glands are more likely to swell for less serious conditions.

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    • A doctor may conduct a chest x-ray to diagnose mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
      By: Odua Images
      A doctor may conduct a chest x-ray to diagnose mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
    • Mediastinal lymphadenopathy refers to the enlargement of chest lymph nodes.
      By: gekaskr
      Mediastinal lymphadenopathy refers to the enlargement of chest lymph nodes.
    • Farmers are at risk for developing mediastinal lymphadenopathy as a result of fungal infections.
      By: Jenoche
      Farmers are at risk for developing mediastinal lymphadenopathy as a result of fungal infections.
    • Tuberculosis is a leading cause of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in areas where the infection is common.
      By: stockdevil
      Tuberculosis is a leading cause of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in areas where the infection is common.
    • The discovery of lymphadenopathy may prompt the doctor to order a mammogram to rule out breast cancer.
      By: Tyler Olson
      The discovery of lymphadenopathy may prompt the doctor to order a mammogram to rule out breast cancer.