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 imaging findings, suggests that this is the most likely diagnosis. The node's characteristics and the absence of other significant findings support this conclusion.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Reactive lymphadenopathy: Although the report mentions no lymphadenopathy, reactive lymphadenopathy could still be considered due to the presence of a lymph node, even if it appears benign. This condition could be a response to a minor infection or inflammation that has not significantly altered the node's appearance on imaging.
- Lipoma or other benign soft tissue tumors: The absence of a discrete soft tissue mass does not entirely rule out small or deep-seated lipomas or other benign tumors that might not be easily visualized with the current imaging modality.
- 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 lymph node, regardless of its appearance, warrants consideration of this potentially deadly condition.
- Metastatic disease: Similar to lymphoma, the possibility of metastatic disease to the lymph node cannot be entirely dismissed without further evaluation, especially if the patient's symptoms persist or if there's a history of cancer.
- Rare diagnoses
- Castleman disease: A rare condition characterized by lymph node enlargement, which could potentially present with a benign appearance on initial imaging.
- Kimura disease: A rare, chronic inflammatory disorder that can cause lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia, potentially presenting with benign-appearing lymph nodes on imaging.
- Other rare lymphoproliferative disorders: Conditions such as angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman disease) or Kimura disease are rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy, even if the nodes appear benign on imaging.