Lymph node culture

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Lymphatic system

Lymph node culture

Lymph node culture is a laboratory test performed on a lymph node to identify organisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungus) that cause infection.

Culture - lymph node

A needle aspiration or biopsy of an enlarged lymph node (swollen glands) is obtained. The fluid is placed in culture media and observed for growth in the laboratory. Sometimes special stains are also done.

There is no special preparation necessary.

The site may be numbed with a local anesthetic before the node is aspirated. There may be some pain when the needle is inserted into the lymph node.

The test may be performed if the cause of swollen glands is not known, and infection is suspected.

Review Date: 02/10/2006
Reviewed By: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.