Differential Diagnosis
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Benign lymph node: The presence of a benign-appearing axillary lymph node with a thin uniform cortex and prominent fatty hilum, as described in the findings, strongly suggests a benign condition. The node's size (2.9 x 2.5 x 0.9 cm) is not significantly enlarged, which further supports a benign diagnosis.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Reactive lymphadenopathy: This condition could be a response to a minor infection or inflammation in the body, which might not be directly related to the axilla. The lymph node's appearance is consistent with a reactive rather than a malignant process.
- Lipoma or other benign soft tissue tumor: Although the report mentions no discrete soft tissue mass, a small lipoma or other benign tumor could potentially be overlooked or not fully visualized, especially if it's deep or not significantly different in density from surrounding tissues.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Lymphoma: Although the lymph node appears benign, lymphoma is a critical diagnosis that must be considered, even if the likelihood is low. The presence of a single enlarged lymph node could be an early sign, and missing this diagnosis could have significant consequences.
- Metastatic disease: Similarly, a solitary metastatic lymph node from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body is a possibility that cannot be overlooked. The absence of other findings does not rule out this possibility entirely.
- Rare diagnoses
- Castleman disease: This is a rare disorder that involves an overgrowth of cells in the lymphatic system. It could present with lymphadenopathy, although the described node's appearance does not specifically suggest this diagnosis.
- Kimura disease: A rare, chronic inflammatory disorder that can cause lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia. It is more common in Asian males and could be considered in the appropriate clinical context, although it is quite rare.