Concerns Over Lymph Node Characteristics
I am a 26-year-old female, standing 5'7" and weighing 175 pounds, with no history of smoking or current medications. Recently, I was advised to undergo an ultrasound of my neck lymph nodes due to a firm lump located in the area behind my earlobe. Today, I had the ultrasound performed, and the technician was quite meticulous. She reassured me, noting that there was nothing alarming about the findings; even the lymph node near my earlobe is relatively small at 0.26 cm x 0.48 cm. The pronounced feeling of the lump is attributed to a nearby muscle rather than its size. Furthermore, she mentioned that all lymph nodes examined exhibited normal shape and blood flow. Although I should have taken her assessment as a comforting conclusion, I found myself reviewing the ultrasound images once I got home. Upon closer inspection, I observed that several of the lymph nodes appeared rounder, contradicting the guideline that suggests a smaller axis ratio than 0.5. This includes the node behind my earlobe as well as one at the back of my neck, which appears notably round. The discrepancy is striking, especially since an adjoining node is long and slender. To be specific, the rounder node measures 0.69 cm in length and 0.37 cm in width, while the thinner node is recorded at 1.15 cm long and only 0.21 cm wide. Both exhibit an S/L axis ratio slightly over 0.5, approximately 0.54, which raises some alarm for me given the considerable difference in appearance between them. However, I recognize that I lack the expertise of a medical professional. Despite the wait I may have due to the holiday season to consult with my doctor, I am eager to gather perspectives from others regarding this situation.
Answers (1)
12/17/2025, 11:40:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned about the characteristics of your lymph nodes after reviewing your ultrasound images. While the technician provided reassuring information, it’s natural to have lingering questions, especially when you've noticed details that seem confusing. Let’s break down your situation to clarify and address your concerns.
Key Points
- Ultrasound Reassurance: The technician indicated that the lymph nodes showed normal shape and blood flow and that the size of the lymph node near your earlobe is not alarming.
- Roundness of Lymph Nodes: A rounder shape can be concerning; however, it does not always indicate a problem, especially if the lymph nodes are small and not exhibiting abnormal features.
- Understanding Axis Ratios: While an S/L (short-to-long axis) ratio greater than 0.5 can be a point of consideration, lymph node characteristics should be evaluated in the context of overall clinical findings.
Explanation
Lymph nodes can vary in shape and size, and a slight increase in roundness alone does not automatically signal an issue. The measurements you provided show that even though some nodes have a ratio slightly above 0.5, their overall size (relatively small) and the fact that they maintain normal blood flow are reassuring features. Round shapes can occur naturally in some lymph nodes without indicating disease.
Next Steps
-
Monitor for Symptoms: Keep track of any associated symptoms, such as swelling, pain, or changes in the size of the lump or surrounding areas.** If you notice significant changes, you may want to reach out sooner than your follow-up appointment.
-
Document Your Observations: Keep notes on your feelings about the lump, as well as any physical changes. This will help you share informative details during your eventual consultation with your doctor.
-
Prepare for Your Doctor's Appointment: Write down your questions and express your concerns about the roundness and the ratios you observed for clarity during the appointment. Being prepared can help address your worries.
-
Practice Stress Relief: Uncertainty about health can be stressful. Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle exercise to help manage anxiety while waiting for your clinic visit.
It's completely valid to feel apprehensive about your health, but maintaining open communication with your doctor will help clarify any uncertainties. Remember to take one step at a time, and treat yourself kindly during this waiting period.
Related Questions
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.