Analysis of clinical factors and ultrasound features associated with COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary lymphadenopathy: A large group study.

PURPOSE: To investigate factors that distinguish COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary lymphadenopathy from malignancy or other etiologies. METHODS: From June 2021 to April 2022, 3859 consecutive female patients had breast and axillary ultrasound (US) at our institution. After exclusions, 592 patients were included in the study. We retrospectively reviewed clinical history and US features of enlarged axillary lymph nodes. Assessed clinical factors included age, vaccination type, dose and vaccination date, and ultrasound features included cortical thickness, shape, marginal irregularity, focal cortical thickening, fatty hilum, and number and anatomic location of enlarged lymph nodes. The seven US features were used to score the severity of lymphadenopathy. Binary logistic models and independent two-sample t-tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among 592 patients (mean age 49.3 ± 10.3 years), 406(68.6%), 90(15.2%), 42(7.1), 4(0.7%) and 50(8.4%) patients received Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Janssen and cross inoculation of more than one type, respectively. 185(31.3%), 376(63.5%) and 31(5.2%) patients received a first, second and third dose, respectively. The interval between vaccination and US was 30.9 ± 21.5 days. US showed axillary lymphadenopathy (LAP) in 113 patients (19.1%). Clinical factors associated with LAP were age younger than 50 years, mRNA vaccine, first dose and shorter interval(P < 0.05). US features associated with LAP were mean cortical thickness of 4.6 ± 1.63 mm, oval shape (70.8%), smooth margin (53.1%), focal cortical thickening (62.8%) and preserved fatty hilum (84.1%). Using our scoring method, the mean overall score for vaccine-related LAP was 2.45 ± 1.51 points. CONCLUSION: Awareness of influencing factors and sonographic features can help differentiate COVID-19 vaccine-related adenopathy from other etiologies.

Risk of lymphadenopathy from SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Korea: a self-controlled case series analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of lymphadenopathy following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. METHODS: A self-controlled case series design was used to determine whether the risk of lymphadenopathy was higher in the 1-day to 42-day risk interval after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination compared to the control period. In addition, subgroup analyses were conducted according to baseline characteristics, time since vaccination, and sensitivity analyses adjusted for the length of the risk interval. RESULTS: The risk of developing lymphadenopathy in the risk interval (1-42 days) after COVID-19 vaccination compared to the control period was significantly increased, with a relative incidence (RI) of 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.18) when the first, second, and third doses were combined. The RI was greater on the day of vaccination (1.47; 95% CI, 1.44 to 1.50). In subgroup analyses by baseline characteristics, a significantly increased risk or trend toward increased risk was observed in most subgroups except for those aged 70 years and older, with a significant increase in risk in younger individuals, those with a Charlson's comorbidity index <5, and those who received mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273>BNT162b2). Within the 1-day to 42-day post-dose risk period, the relative risk was highest during the 1-day to 7-day post-dose period (1.59; 95% CI, 1.57 to 1.60) compared to the control period, and then the risk declined. In the sensitivity analysis, we found that the longer the risk window, the smaller the RI. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of lymphadenopathy, and this risk was observed only with mRNA vaccines.

Lymphadenopathy as a predictor of progression during venetoclax treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A campus chronic lymphocytic leukemia study.

Clinical or biological parameters useful to predict progression during treatment in real-life setting with ibrutinib, idelalisib and venetoclax in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are still debated. We conducted a multi-center retrospective study on CLL patients treated with ibrutinib and/or idelalisib who were switched to venetoclax for progression or due to adverse events to identify any clinical and/or biological parameters useful to predict progression during treatment with venetoclax. Of all the 128 evaluable patients, 81 had received ibrutinib prior to switching to venetoclax, 35 had received idelalisib and 12 both. When comparing the three subgroups, we did not notice any statistical difference in terms of clinical or biological features. No variable at baseline and at different time points during the follow-up (at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months) was found to predict progression nor to have significance for Progression Free Survival (PFS) in the ibrutinib group and in the idelalisib group and in subgroups according to the line of treatment. Analyzing the data of the venetoclax treatment, after a median follow up of 14.3 months, median PFS was not reached and estimated 3-year PFS was 54%. Of the 128 patients treated with venetoclax, 28 (22%) experienced progressive disease. At multivariate analysis for predictive factors for progression, lymph node diameter >56.5 mm before starting treatment emerged as an independent risk factor for progression. The lymph node predictive role for progression during venetoclax treatment could be a new parameter that deserves to be investigate in future studies.

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on ultrasound findings of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-related lymphadenopathy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported axillary lymphadenopathy (LAP) as a side effect of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine. However, the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)s on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-related LAP have not been investigated. PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the effects of NSAIDs on temporal changes in sonographic findings of COVID-19 vaccine-associated LAP. METHODS: Our single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022. We included patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who applied with complaints of swelling in the ipsilateral axillary region after the COVID-19 vaccine and had axillary region ultrasound (US) scans in electronic medical records within 30 days pre-vaccination. The serial US was performed on the third, 10th, and 30th days post-vaccination. RESULTS: Our study included 38 patients with a median age of 36 (IQR, 32-43) years. In 18 (47.4%) patients used NSAIDs in the early post-vaccination period. Measurements of LAPs on ultrasound scans increased at day 3 post-vaccination compared with pre-vaccination both in NSAID users and non-users. On the 10th day, a statistically insignificant decrease in LAP diameters and cortical thickness was observed in NSAID users compared to non-users. On the post-vaccination 30th day, axillary LAPs regressed similarly in both groups. CONCLUSION: In our study, post-vaccine NSAID use had no statistically significant effect on the course of axillary LAPs.

Imaging of COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Axillary Lymphadenopathy: Initial Outcomes Based on US Features of Axillary Lymph Nodes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe the imaging characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary adenopathy and subsequent follow-up. METHODS: This was an IRB-approved, retrospective study of patients with imaging evidence of axillary lymphadenopathy who had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and presented between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2021. Sonographic cortical thickness and morphology was evaluated. A mixed effects model was used to model lymph node cortical thickness decrease over time. RESULTS: A total of 57 women were identified with lymphadenopathy and a COVID vaccination during the study period with 51 (89.5%) women completing imaging surveillance or undergoing tissue sampling of a lymph node. Three women (5.9%) were diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to an axillary node. There was a statistically significant correlation with cortical thickness at initial US evaluation and malignancy (7.7 mm [SD ±â€…0.6 mm] for metastatic nodes and 5 mm [SD ±â€…2 mm] for benign nodes, P = 0.02). Suspicious morphological features (effacement of fatty hilum, P = 0.02) also correlated with malignancy. Time to resolution of lymphadenopathy can be prolonged with estimated half-life of the rate of decrease in cortical thickness modeled at 77 days (95% CI, 59-112 days). Diffuse, smooth cortical thickening over 3 mm was the most common lymph node morphology. CONCLUSION: Malignant lymph node morphology and cortical thickness best predicted malignancy. Benign hyperplastic lymph nodes were the most common morphology observed after COVID-19 vaccination. Lymphadenopathy after vaccination is slow to resolve.

Immunotherapy-induced granulomatous reaction in patients with melanoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a new era in stage IV melanoma treatment. These agents are generally well tolerated but have specific side effects. The granulomatous reaction is one of such ICI-related adverse events. In this report, we present the cases of three patients with stage IV melanoma who all developed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy during ICI treatment. While a complete response was observed in one patient, near complete responses were observed in the other two patients. Amid these favorable outcomes, all patients developed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy approximately 6 months after the initiation of immunotherapy. Biopsies were performed to explore the underlying pathology of the lymph nodes, which revealed granulomatous reactions rather than metastases. Hence, immunotherapy was continued in all patients. The development of granulomatous lymphadenitis associated with ICIs may mimic disease recurrence/progression clinically and radiographically. Awareness of such type of adverse event is crucial to decide whether to continue therapy or not.

COVID-19 vaccine-induced lymphadenopathies: incidence, course and imaging features from an ultrasound prospective study.

AIMS: lymphadenopathy can occur after COVID-19 vaccination and when encountered at ultrasound examinations performed for other reasons might pose a diagnostic challenge. Purpose of the study was to evaluate the incidence, course and ultrasound imaging features of vaccine-induced lymphadenopathy. METHODS: 89 healthy volunteers (median age 30, 76 females) were prospectively enrolled. Vaccine-related clinical side effects (e.g., fever, fatigue, palpable or painful lymphadenopathy) were recorded. Participants underwent bilateral axillary, supraclavicular and cervical lymph node stations ultrasound 1-4 weeks after the second dose and then again after 4-12 weeks in those who showed lymphadenopathy at the first ultrasound. B-mode, color-Doppler assessment, and shear-wave elastography (SWE) evaluation were performed. The correlation between lymphadenopathy and vaccine-related side effects was assessed using the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Post-vaccine lymphadenopathy were found in 69/89 (78%) participants (37 single and 32 multiple lymphadenopathy). Among them, 60 presented vaccine-related side effects, but no statistically significant difference was observed between post-vaccine side effect and lymphadenopathy. Ultrasound features of vaccine-related lymphadenopathy consisted of absence of fatty hilum, round shape and diffuse or asymmetric cortical thickness (median cortical thickness of 5 mm). Vascular signal was mainly found to be increased, localized in both central and peripheral regions. SWE showed a soft cortical consistence in all cases (median value 11 Kpa). At follow-up, lymph-node morphology was completely restored in most cases (54/69, 78%) and in no case lymphadenopathy had worsened. CONCLUSION: A high incidence of vaccine-induced lymphadenopathy was found in a population of healthy subjects, with nearly complete regression within 4-12 weeks.

Linfadenopatía cervical y supraclavicular ipsilateral a la vacunación de refuerzo con Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 / Cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination

La COVID-19 es la enfermedad causada por el nuevo coronavirus conocido como SARS-CoV-2. Para finales del 2020, la FDA de los Estados Unidos aprobó la primera vacuna para su uso de emergencia contra el COVID-19, desarrollada por Pfizer y BioNTech (BNT162b2). Este nuevo tipo de vacuna utiliza ARN mensajero modificado, el cual le da instrucciones al organismo para generar un fragmento de la proteína espiga de la superficie del virus, y que por sí sola desencadena una respuesta inmunitaria que ayuda a proteger el organismo contra una infección por COVID-19. Dentro de los eventos adversos menos comunes reportados en los estudios clínicos iniciales está la linfadenopatía (0.3 %). Objetivo: reportar el caso de paciente masculino que acude a evaluación sonográfica por preocupación de nódulo palpable en región supraclavicular. Resultados: a la evaluación sonográfica se observa cadena ganglionar reactiva compatible con una linfadenopatía. Paciente reporta vacunación de refuerzo con la vacuna Pfizer 8 días antes de la evaluación, subsecuente a dos vacunas Coronavac, corroborando de que se trata de una linfadenopatía reactiva, secundaria a una respuesta inmune robusta al refuerzo con la vacuna Pfizer. Se realiza una medición de Anti-SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG cuantitativa a los 15 días del refuerzo con Pfizer, reportando valores elevados de 10,600 BAU/mL. Se orientó al paciente a regresar en una semana para seguimiento ecográfico, el cual evidenció resolución espontánea sin secuelas. Conclusiones: los hallazgos de adenopatía axilar o supraclavicular unilateral subsecuentes a la vacunación por COVID-19 deben ser informados tanto a médicos como pacientes, como un efecto secundario temporal producto de la respuesta inmunológica post vacuna. Este hallazgo benigno no requiere seguimiento adicional de imágenes y mucho menos de procedimientos invasivos como biopsias, los cuales generan mucha ansiedad al paciente, además de ser muy costosos para los mismos

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus identified as SARS-CoV-2. Towards the end of 2020, the FDA of the United States approved the first vaccine for emergency use against COVID-19, which was developed by Pfizer and BioNTech (BNT162b2). This new type of vaccine uses a modified RNA Messenger, which gives instructions to the host cells of the vaccinated person to produce a fragment of the spike protein of the virus, which then generates an inmune response and protects the recipient of the vaccine against COVID-19. Among the adverse events less frequently reported in the initial clinical studies of the vaccine is lymphadenopathy which was reported by 0.3% of the participants. Objective: Presentation of a case report of a male subject that came to a ultrasound evaluation due to concern of a palpable nodule in the supraclavicular región. Results: Ultrasound exam showed reactive unilateral cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Patient reports a third dose booster with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 (BNT162b2) vaccine, 8 days prior to the evaluation, after completing a two-dose vaccination schedule with the Coronavac/Sinovac vaccine, confirming a vigorous immune response to the mRNA anti-COVID vaccines. This response was validated by elevated Anti-SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG (10,600 BAU/mL). Patient was informed to return in a week for an echography follow-up which showed spontaneous resolution without leaving sequelae. Conclusions: It is of great importance to inform this benign finding of supraclavicular or axillar adenopathy subsequent to COVID vaccination to the medical community and patients, to avoid unnecessary medical interventions such as imaging or biopsies, which generate anxiety to the patient as well as additional costs

Case Report: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Induced Lymphadenopathy in Desmoid Tumor Patients.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are nowadays a valuable treatment of desmoid tumors, a rare mesenchymal neoplasm. Although many side effects of imatinib and pazopanib, commonly or rarely occurring, have been described, reactional lymphadenopathy has not yet been reported. In this publication, we report two cases of patients with desmoid tumors, treated with pazopanib and imatinib, who developed reactional lymphadenopathy. As this side effect is presented as a newly formed mass, it can result in new diagnostic questions and added imaging tests and can even lead to discontinuation of the treatment. This report may help the clinicians facing similar problems adopt a "watch and wait" approach.

Frequency of Ipsilateral Axillary Lymphadenopathy After the Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine.

OBJECTIVE: During COVID-19 vaccine development studies, vaccines' efficacy and safety profiles should be carefully investigated. Only a few studies have shown that the COVID-19 vaccine can cause axillary lymphadenopathy on the injection arm. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of axillary lymphadenopathy and imaging findings using B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography (US) examinations in volunteers who had recently been vaccinated against COVID-19. METHODS: The ipsilateral and contralateral axillae of 101 volunteers who received the COVID-19 vaccine were evaluated using B-mode and Doppler US examinations. The volunteers were asked when and to which arm the vaccine had been applied, and the type and dose of the vaccine were recorded. It was also questioned whether the individual experienced any side effects after vaccination, such as pain, tenderness, fever, and redness at the injection site. In addition, the demographic data of the participants, such as age and gender, were recorded. RESULTS: The B-mode US examinations revealed that the long- and short-axis diameters, size, cortical thickness, and asymmetric cortical thickening of the left axillary lymph nodes were significantly higher compared to the right side in individuals having received the CoronaVac vaccine (p<0.05). When the individuals were evaluated separately according to gender, the frequency of cortical thickness and asymmetric cortical thickening in the left axillary lymph nodes was higher than on the right side in both males and females (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: It should be kept in mind that ipsilateral reactive lymphadenopathy may develop after the COVID-19 vaccine. This knowledge can prevent unnecessary axillary lymph node biopsies.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma Presenting as a Methotrexate-associated Lymphoproliferative Disorder with Extreme Peripheral Blood Plasmacytosis.

A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of systemic lymphadenopathy, weight loss, and a fever at night that had persisted for approximately 1 month. Blood tests revealed extreme peripheral blood plasmacytosis and hypergammaglobulinemia. A lymph node biopsy showed angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). Based on the history of methotrexate (MTX) administration, the established diagnosis was MTX-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD). After MTX was discontinued, the lymphadenopathy spontaneously regressed and the plasmacytosis disappeared. He had no disease progression for three years. We found that AITL as an MTX-LPD can cause plasmacytosis, and the prognosis of this disease may not be poor.

Nivolumab-induced systemic lymphadenopathy occurring during treatment of malignant melanoma: a case report.

Nivolumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody that exhibits significant efficacy in treating melanoma and other malignancies. However, various nivolumab-induced immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been reported, and differentiating irAEs from tumor progression is sometimes difficult. Here, we report a case of reactive lymphadenopathy occurring after treatment with nivolumab. A 56-year-old man with stage IIIC melanoma received adjuvant therapy with nivolumab after wide local excision. He developed systemic lymphadenopathy and autoimmune hemolytic anemia 1 month after receiving seven cycles of nivolumab. Pathological analysis of a cervical lymph node biopsy specimen revealed no metastatic lesion or any other malignancy, including lymphoma. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with nivolumab-induced reactive lymphadenopathy. Systemic corticosteroids were administered to reduce hemolysis, which led to the resolution of lymphadenopathy. When progressive lymphadenopathy is observed in a patient who received immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, reactive lymphadenopathy should be carefully distinguished from progression to lymphoid metastasis, and biopsy should be performed if needed.

Limiting Screening Mammography Recalls for Vaccine-Induced Adenopathy, a Single Institution Experience.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Reported incidence of vaccine-induced adenopathy varies widely, with higher estimates in early reports and small series. Objective was to evaluate a large sample of vaccinated patients undergoing screening mammography, to determine callback rates associated with vaccine-induced adenopathy and their outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-institution retrospective review of patients who received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine prior to presentation for screening mammography from January 15 through May 31, 2021. Patient-related vaccination information (dose, brand, arm, date) was obtained by mammography technologists and available for interpreting radiologists. Patients recalled for axillary adenopathy were included; other causes for recall were excluded. Follow-up imaging and outcomes were tracked. Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Fisher exact test, multivariable logistic regression modeling, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were utilized. All tests were two-sided; p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Total of 2304 vaccinated patients underwent screening mammography; 24 (1.0%) recalled for ipsilateral adenopathy. There was no significant difference in presence of adenopathy associated with patient age, dose, or brand of vaccine. Presence of adenopathy significantly decreased as days from vaccination increased (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve suggested 28.5 days as the best cutoff point to distinguish presence or absence of adenopathy on mammogram. Of 24 callbacks, 13 (54.2%) had benign results, 2 (8.3%) are still undergoing surveillance, and 9 (37.5%) are overdue for subsequent follow-ups. No cases resulted in biopsy or malignancy. CONCLUSION: Low recall rates related to vaccine-induced adenopathy are achievable and can limit unnecessary workups, improve access, and promote flexible timing of vaccinations and screening exams.

COVID-19 Vaccine-Associated Subclinical Axillary Lymphadenopathy on Screening Mammogram.

BACKGROUND: Women who received a COVID-19 vaccination may display subclinical unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy on screening mammography, which can appear suspicious for malignancy, leading to additional diagnostic evaluation. PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of subclinical unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy (sLAD) on screening mammogram in women who received either the first or second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines compared to women who have not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this IRB-approved, HIPAA complaint study from 12/14/2020 to 4/14/2021, 1027 patients presented for screening mammography and met study inclusion criteria. Patients with history of baseline lymphadenopathy or prior cancer diagnosis were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 1027 women, 43 were recalled for unilateral sLAD. 34 women received a COVID-19 vaccination ipsilateral to the sLAD (Pfizer n=19, 44.2%; Moderna n=15, 34.9%), 9 did not (20.9%). Incidence of unilateral axillary sLAD was significantly higher (p-value<0.01) in those who received a COVID-19 vaccination within approximately 7 weeks preceding screening mammogram. 13.2% of patients who received the Pfizer vaccine and 9.5% of patients who received the Moderna vaccine developed sLAD. Moderna's vaccine elicited a more robust reaction in the elderly (Moderna 63.7 years vs. Pfizer 59.7 years). For both vaccines, sLAD resolved on average 46.5 days after the last COVID-19 vaccine (p=0.44). CONCLUSION: Women who have received either mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may benefit from scheduling their screening mammogram before vaccination or consider delaying screening mammography 8 weeks. While Pfizer may have an overall more robust immune response, Moderna may elicit a stronger immune response in elderly women. SUMMARY: Women who received a COVID-19 vaccination before screening mammography were significantly more likely to present with subclinical axillary lymphadenopathy than women who did not receive the vaccine. KEY RESULTS: 13.2% of women who received a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine exhibited subclinical axillary lymphadenopathy compared to 9.5% of those who received the Moderna vaccine. Only 1.2 % of those who did not receive a vaccine presented with subclinical unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. The average time of resolution of the lymphadenopathy on diagnostic mammogram was 46.5 days overall, with Pfizer-BioNTech taking 50.7 days and Moderna 41.5 days.

COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Axillary Adenopathy on Breast Imaging: Follow-Up Recommendations and Histopathologic Findings.

This study describes 94 patients who presented with suspected COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary adenopathy on breast imaging. All biopsies recommended within 12 weeks of the second vaccine dose were benign. Among women not recommended for biopsy, the median interval between the second vaccine dose and ultrasound follow-up was 15.9 weeks. Three biopsies yielding malignant diagnoses were recommended 12.0-13.1 weeks after the second vaccine dose. Lengthening imaging follow-up to 12-16 weeks after the second dose may reduce unnecessary biopsy recommendations.

Linfadenopatía reactiva por vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech para COVID-19: reporte de un caso / Reactive lymphadenopathy due to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: a case report

Uno de los efectos secundarios encontrados en pacientes con antecedente de vacunación por COVID-19, especialmente con la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech, es la aparición de múltiples adenopatías hiperplásicas, principalmente en los ganglios linfáticos axilares, supraclaviculares e infraclaviculares ipsilaterales al sitio de vacunación. Presentamos el caso de una paciente femenina de 33 años, con aparición de masa dolorosa supraclavicular izquierda, quien una semana antes había sido vacunada con la primera dosis de la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech en región deltoidea izquierda. Los hallazgos citológicos fueron sugestivos de una enfermedad linfoproliferativa, y el estudio histopatológico reveló linfadenopatía reactiva con proliferación de inmunoblastos B activados, secundaria a la vacunación contra COVID-19. Aportamos a la literatura con la caracterización de los hallazgos histopatológicos de la linfadenopatía posvacunación contra COVID-19. Es importante que los médicos tratantes y radiólogos estén familiarizados con este diagnóstico diferencial, para brindar recomendaciones adecuadas basadas en un seguimiento a corto plazo, en lugar de realizar biopsias, intervenciones y conductas inmediatas innecesarias en el manejo de los pacientes

One of the side effects found in patients with a history of vaccination for COVID-19, especially with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, is the appearance of multiple hyperplastic adenopathies, mainly axillary, supraclavicular and infraclavicular lymph nodes ipsilateral to the vaccination site. We present the case of a 33-year-old female patient, with the appearance of a painful left supraclavicular mass, who was vaccinated a week earlier with the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the left deltoid region. The cytological findings were suggestive of a lymphoproliferative disease, and the histopathological study revealed reactive lymphadenopathy with proliferation of activated B immunoblasts, secondary to vaccination against COVID-19. We contribute to the literature with the characterization of the histopathological findings of COVID-19 post-vaccination lymphadenopathy. It is important for treating physicians and radiologists to be familiar with this differential diagnosis, in order to provide appropriate recommendations based on short-term follow-up, instead of performing unnecessary immediate biopsies or interventions in patient management.

Regional lymphadenopathy following COVID-19 vaccination: Literature review and considerations for patient management in breast cancer care.

PURPOSE: Over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been already administered across the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union at the time of writing. Furthermore, 1.82 million booster doses have been administered in the US since 13th August, and similar booster programmes are currently planned or under consideration in the UK and the EU beginning in the autumn of 2021. Early reports showed an association between vaccine administration and the development of ipsilateral axillary and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, which could interfere with the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of breast cancer patients. In this paper, we review the available evidence on vaccine-related lymphadenopathy, and we discuss the clinical implications of the same on breast cancer diagnosis and management. METHODS: A literature search was performed - PubMed, Ovid Medline, Scopus, CINHAL, Springer Nature, ScienceDirect, Academic Search Premier and the Directory of Open Access Journals were searched for articles reporting on regional palpable or image-detected lymphadenopathy following COVID-19 vaccination. Separately, we compiled a series of case studies from the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, United Kingdom and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, United States of America, to illustrate the impact that regional lymphadenopathy post-COVID-19 vaccination can have on the diagnosis and management of patients being seen in diagnostic and therapeutic breast clinics. RESULTS: From the literature search, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 2057 patients, 737 with lymphadenopathy). The incidence of lymphadenopathy ranged between 14.5% and 53% and persisted for >6 weeks in 29% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians managing breast cancer patients should be aware that the COVID-19 vaccination may result in regional lymphadenopathy in a significant number of patients, which can result in unnecessary investigations, treatment and increased patient anxiety. An accurate COVID-19 vaccination history should be collected from all patients where regional lymphadenopathy is a clinical and/or an imaging finding and then combined with clinical judgement when managing individual cases.

COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary lymphadenopathy in breast cancer patients: Case series with a review of literature.

PURPOSE: Lymphadenopathy (LAP) after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with a diagnosis of cancer has been challenging. We analyzed imaging and clinical features from early cases of axillary LAP in six COVID-19 vaccine recipients with a history of breast cancer. METHOD: Among the patients with a history of breast cancer and recent COVID-19 vaccine administration, six patients who showed isolated axillary LAP were gathered. Radiologic features were reviewed from breast ultrasound, chest computed tomography, and breast magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical and pathological information were obtained for analysis. RESULTS: The interval between ultrasound detection of LAP and last COVID-19 vaccine administration ranged from 14 to 28 days (mean 21.67 days). Round shape of the lymph node and irregular cortex were noted in 2 and 0 cases, respectively. Mean maximum cortical thickness, length to width ratio and interval aggravation in maximum cortical thickening were 4.2 mm, 1.34, and 2.81-fold with cut-off value of 3 mm, 1.5, 2.0-fold, respectively. CONCLUSION: We observed axillary LAP ipsilateral to a recent vaccine administration persisting longer than what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced. In our patients, COVID-19 vaccine-related LAP tended to show increased cortical thickness without cortical irregularity. Oncologist as well as radiologist should be familiar with the fact that COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of vaccine type or dosage, can frequently cause ipsilateral axillary LAP, showing some suspicious features more often than others, and can persist longer than anticipated so that both over- and underdiagnosis can be avoided. We report our observations in six patients and provide an exhaustive review of the published literature.

Cervical lymphadenopathy following coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine: clinical characteristics and implications for head and neck cancer services.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with coronavirus disease vaccine associated lymphadenopathy are increasingly being referred to healthcare services. This work is the first to report on the incidence, clinical course and imaging features of coronavirus disease vaccine associated cervical lymphadenopathy, with special emphasis on the implications for head and neck cancer services. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients referred to our head and neck cancer clinics between 16 December 2020 and 12 March 2021. The main outcomes measured were the proportion of patients with vaccine-associated cervical lymphadenopathy, and the clinical and imaging characteristics. RESULTS: The incidence of vaccine-associated cervical lymphadenopathy referrals was 14.8 per cent (n = 13). Five patients (38.5 per cent) had abnormal-looking enlarged and rounded nodes with increased vascularity. Only seven patients (53.9 per cent) reported full resolution within an average of 3.1 ± 2.3 weeks. CONCLUSION: Coronavirus disease vaccine associated cervical lymphadenopathy can mimic malignant lymphadenopathy and therefore might prove challenging to diagnose and manage correctly. Healthcare services may encounter a significant increase in referrals.