What do enlarged lymph nodes mean?
Enlarged lymph nodes mean that the lymph nodes are larger than expected. This may be due to infection, inflammation, an immune reaction, or another disease.
Lymph nodes can be felt in the neck, armpits or groin, but they can also be seen on imaging tests inside the body. A finding needs to be assessed based on location, size, appearance and symptoms.
During a full-body MRI , the radiologist can describe lymph nodes if they are clearly enlarged or abnormal.
What can MRI show about lymph nodes?
MRI can show lymph nodes in several anatomical areas and provide information about size, location, and relationship to surrounding tissue. The radiologist will assess whether the finding should be described in the report.
However, MRI alone cannot explain the cause of all enlarged lymph nodes. In some cases, blood tests, clinical examination, targeted imaging diagnostics or other follow-up are needed.
- Size and location.
- If multiple lymph nodes are affected.
- Relationship to surrounding tissue.
- Concomitant findings in organs or soft tissues.
- Need for possible follow-up.
When do enlarged lymph nodes need to be followed up?
Follow-up may be necessary if the lymph nodes are very large, are in certain locations, persist over time, or occur together with other symptoms.
After the examination, you will receive a report and a review with a specialist. If the findings need further investigation, Prevcare can help you with a referral to the right healthcare provider.
Enlarged lymph nodes on whole body MRI
A full-body MRI is a broad examination that can show findings in several parts of the body. Enlarged lymph nodes can be one such finding, but the cause always needs to be medically assessed.
If you have rapidly growing lumps, fever, night sweats, involuntary weight loss or a clear feeling of illness, you should contact healthcare.
Contact healthcare if you experience rapidly growing lumps, prolonged fever, night sweats, involuntary weight loss, severe pain or rapid deterioration in your general condition.
Price and booking
Current prices and bookings can be found on the whole body MRI page.
The price includes MRI examination, radiological report, specialist review and referral if necessary.
When is targeted healthcare contact better?
If you have clear symptoms, known enlarged lymph nodes or concerns about a specific lump, you should contact your healthcare provider for clinical assessment. A full-body MRI is not an emergency examination.
