What term describes small, discrete, non-tender lymph nodes felt during examination described as 'shotty'?

What term describes small, discrete, non-tender lymph nodes felt during examination described as 'shotty'?

• A. Lymphadenopathy
• B. Lymphadenitis
• C. Normal nodes
• D. Shotty adenopathy

Answer: (D)

Shotty adenopathy describes multiple tiny, discrete, non-tender lymph nodes palpated on exam, often felt like buckshot. This pattern comes from reactive hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue in response to a benign infection or inflammation, so the nodes are small, firm, mobile, and non-tender rather than inflamed. It’s distinct from lymphadenitis, where nodes are inflamed and tender, and from normal nodes, which aren’t typically palpable in a clustered, nodular way. So the best descriptor for these findings is shotty adenopathy.

Shotty adenopathy describes multiple tiny, discrete, non-tender lymph nodes palpated on exam, often felt like buckshot. This pattern comes from reactive hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue in response to a benign infection or inflammation, so the nodes are small, firm, mobile, and non-tender rather than inflamed. It’s distinct from lymphadenitis, where nodes are inflamed and tender, and from normal nodes, which aren’t typically palpable in a clustered, nodular way. So the best descriptor for these findings is shotty adenopathy.