The effect of cardiopulmonary disease on lymph node hyperplasia and structural deviations

Introduction: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiopulmonary disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Therefore, the different pathologies of the heart and lungs are studied extensively in the medical community. Current research hints at the possible association between the lymphatic system's dysfunction and cardiopulmonary disease's pathological progression. However, the effect of cardiopulmonary disease on the lymph nodes is not well known. A better understanding of the possible pathological changes to the lymphatic system associated with cardiopulmonary disease could help guide medical interventions.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of cardiopulmonary disease on lymph node size and structure.

Methods: Cadaveric dissections to quantify lymph nodes were performed on 9 donated cadavers at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus. The demographics of the cadavers are 6 female, 3 male, 8 Caucasian, 1 Indian, with an age range of 58-95 and a mean of 70. The study utilized anatomical landmarks to identify and extract lymph nodes. The cadavers were inspected for lumbar, common iliac, sacral, internal and external iliac, superficial and deep inguinal, pulmonary, cardiac, parasternal, infraclavicular, central axillary, pectoral, humeral, subscapular, anterior and lateral neck, hepatic, kidney, etc.…