Lymphadenopathy of the maxillofacial area caused by periodontitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the appearance of lymph nodes draining areas of periodontitis in the mandible using axial short T1 inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging, to see if there is a characteristic pattern that may aid in diagnosis and treatment monitoring. The number and short-axis diameter of submental lymph nodes, submandibular nodes, superior internal jugular nodes, and spinal accessory nodes were measured on magnetic resonance images in 216 subjects (97 patients diagnosed with periodontitis, age 21–81 years and 119 patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging of the brain without any diseases that would affect the mandible or lymph nodes, age 29-79 years). Between-group differences in the number and diameter of the nodes were analyzed. The size and number of submental nodes, submandibular nodes, and superior internal jugular nodes were significantly different between the periodontitis group and the non-periodontitis group (p < 0.01). The size and number of spinal accessory nodes were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Our study found that a definite pattern of lymphadenopathy is associated with periodontitis. These findings indicate that lymphadenopathy should be considered as an inflammation condition commonly associated with periodontitis.