Lymphangitis natural history, complications and prognosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vishal Devarkonda, M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
Lymphangitis being a manifestation of wide concurrently occurring spectrum of manifestations or pathologies. Natural history, complications and prognosis varies from etiology to etiology.
Natural History
Lymphangitis being a manifestation of wide concurrently occurring spectrum of manifestations or pathologies. Natural history, complications and prognosis varies from etiology to etiology. In general the
Lymphangitis due to infectious etiology
Natural history of lymphangitis due to infectious etiology varies widely from organism to organism, but in general, if left untreated or body defenses weren't able to overcome the pathological nature of organism, could lead to bacteremia, sepsis, septic shock, multi-organ failure, and death.
Lymphangitis due to non-infectious etiology
Lymphangitis carcinomatosa
Lymphangits carcinomatosis, being a metstatic malignant condition, commonly results in respiratory failure even with treatment.
Sclerosing lymphangitis
Being a self-limiting and self-resolving condition, If left untreated, it undergoes spontaneous resolvation in weeks.
Complications
Complications of lymphangitis varies from etiology to etiology.
Common complications of lymphangitis due to infectious etiology include:
- Cellulitis
- Pneumonia
- Endocarditis
- Osteomyelitis
- Meningitis
- Septic artheritis
- Peritonitis
- Visceral abscess
- Septic shock
- Multi-organ failure
Complications of lymphangits due to non-infectious etiology include:
Lymphangitis carcinomatosa
Most common complications of lymphangitis carcinmatosa are:
- Respiratory failure
- Right Heart failure
Prognosis
Prognosis of lymphangits varies from etiology to etiology
Lymphangitis due to infectious etiology
With appropriate anitmicrobial treatment, most attacks of lymphangitis with infectious etiology resolve within days to weeks.
Lymphangitis due to Non-infectious etiology
Lymphangitis carcinomatosa
- Being a manifestation of metastatic primary tumor. Lymphangitis carcinomatosa has extremely poor prognosis with 50% mortality within 3 months of onset of first respiratory symptoms.
Sclerosing lymphangitis
Sclerosing lymphangitis, is self- limiting and self- resolving condition, with excellent prognosis.