Supraclavicular lymph nodes are lymph nodes found above the clavicle, that can be felt in the supraclavicular fossa. The supraclavicular lymph nodes on the left side are called Virchows nodes. It leads to an appreciable mass that can be recognized clinically, called Troisier sign. Structure
A Virchows node is a left-sided supraclavicular lymph node. Clinical significance
Malignancies of the internal organs can reach an advanced stage before giving symptoms. Stomach cancer, for example, can remain asymptomatic while metastasizing. One of the first visible spots where these tumors metastasize is one of the left supraclavicular lymph node. Virchows nodes take their supply from lymph vessels in the abdominal cavity, and are therefore sentinel lymph nodes of cancer in the abdomen, particularly gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer and kidney cancer, that has spread through the lymph vessels, and Hodgkins lymphoma. Such spread typically results in Troisiers sign, which is the finding of an enlarged, hard Virchows node.The left supraclavicular nodes are the classical Virchows node because they receive lymphatic drainage of most of the body (from the thoracic duct) and enters the venous circulation via the left subclavian vein. The metastasis may block the thoracic duct leading to regurgitation into the surrounding Virchows nodes. Another concept is that one of the supraclavicular nodes corresponds to the end node along the thoracic duct and hence the enlargement.Differential diagnosis of an enlarged Virchows node includes lymphoma, various intra-abdominal malignancies, breast cancer, and infection (e.g. of the arm).
Granulosis rubra nasi is a rare familial disease of children, occurring on the nose, cheeks, and chin, characterized by diffuse redness, persistent excessive sweating, and small dark red papules that disappear on diascopic pressure. : 780

See also
Skin lesion
List of cutaneous conditions

References


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