key: cord-0810550-w7iqgilu
authors: Dominguez, Jennifer Ledezma; Eberhardt, Steven C; Revels, Jonathan W.
title: “Unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy following COVID-19 vaccination: A case report and imaging findings”
date: 2021-04-12
journal: Radiol Case Rep
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.04.015
sha: 8362887c460a7d34f0572a517fa7dd4cfa273870
doc_id: 810550
cord_uid: w7iqgilu

As more people receive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations, the side effects of the vaccines will become more apparent. One reported side effect that has come to light is unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy ipsilateral to the vaccination site. In general, unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy has a broad differential including malignancy, infection, autoimmune disorder, and iatrogenic etiologies. We present a case of a previously healthy 38-year-old woman who received her first dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination 3 days prior to presenting to the emergency department complaining of two weeks of abdominal pain and 20-pound unintentional weight loss. Unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy, ipsilateral to the vaccination site, was found on a contrast enhanced computed tomography examination of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Subsequent diagnostic mammograms did not demonstrate evidence of malignancy; however, axillary ultrasound again revealed non-specific lymphadenopathy. A short-term follow-up axillary ultrasound was recommended, rather than a lymph node biopsy, given the history of recent vaccination. At clinical follow-up, the patient's abdominal pain resolved and no further weight loss was noted. This case report discusses the key components and workup recommendation of unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy in the setting of COVID-19 vaccination.

"Unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy following COVID-19 vaccination: A case report and imaging findings" Abstract:

As more people receive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations, the side effects of the vaccines will become more apparent. One reported side effect that has come to light is unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy ipsilateral to the vaccination site. In general, unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy has a broad differential including malignancy, infection, autoimmune disorder, and iatrogenic etiologies. We present a case of a previously healthy 38-year-old woman who received her first dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination 3 days prior to presenting to the emergency department complaining of two weeks of abdominal pain and 20-pound unintentional weight loss.

Unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy, ipsilateral to the vaccination site, was found on a contrast enhanced computed tomography examination of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Subsequent diagnostic mammograms did not demonstrate evidence of malignancy; however, axillary ultrasound again revealed non-specific lymphadenopathy.

A short-term follow-up axillary ultrasound was recommended, rather than a lymph node biopsy, given the history of recent vaccination. At clinical follow-up, the patient's abdominal pain resolved and no further weight loss was noted. This case report discusses the key components and workup recommendation of unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy in the setting of COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19, lymphadenopathy, computed tomography, mammogram, ultrasound

As of March 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated over 129 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 500 million vaccinations administered (1). Axillary lymphadenopathy is not unique to the COVID-19 vaccine, and has also been reported in the influenza vaccine; however, recent studies suggest possibly higher rates of unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy with COVID-19 vaccines prompting updated recommendations for evaluation of patients in these instances (2) . As the number of vaccinations increases and time passes, more information will be learned and made available regarding the side effects and long-term impacts of the vaccines. Radiologists should be familiar with this phenomenon so as to best guide patient care.

A previously healthy 38-year-old woman presented to the emergency department complaining of 2-weeks of diffuse abdominal pain and a 20-pound unintentional weight loss. The patient stated she had received her first does of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination 3 days prior to presenting to the ER. Laboratory results were normal with hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet, and white blood cell counts within reference ranges. A metabolic panel was also normal with sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and phosphate values within reference ranges. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and blood glucose were also normal within reference ranges. Thyroid stimulating hormone and total T4 were within reference ranges of normal. Human chorionic gonadotropic (HCG) was negative, indicating the patient was not pregnant. C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were not elevated. axillary lymph nodes measuring up to 0.5 cm in cortical thickness, but with somewhat maintained reniform morphology and maintained fatty hila (Fig. 3) . The diagnostic mammograms did not demonstrate evidence of malignancy (Fig. 4) .

The patient's abdominal pain resolved over the subsequent weeks, and as mentioned in the history, this symptom was present prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, although no etiology was ultimately found for the patient's abdominal pain, it was unlikely to be vaccination related. To date, no etiology for the patient's weight loss has been found, but her weight remains stable. Clinically, the patient did not appear to develop any symptoms directly related to the COVID-19 vaccination, and the axillary lymphadenopathy was considered an incidental imaging finding.

Given the absence of any risk factors for breast cancer, and the decrease in size of the left axillary lymphadenopathy between the CT and the mammogram, the patient was reassured that the lymphadenopathy was very likely related to her recent COVID-19 vaccination. The patient was counseled that no further follow-up or interventions were needed unless she or her physician notes recurrence of the lymphadenopathy, or develops other worrisome breast or axillary symptoms.

The release of COVID-19 vaccinations has led to the multiple publications regarding patients presenting with unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy after receiving their vaccination (1). The presence of lymphadenopathy creates a broad differential; however, clinical history is key in suggesting a benign, post-vaccination reactive etiology. Axillary lymphadenopathy ipsilateral to the site of a COVID-19 vaccination may be seen 1-2 days, and up to a few weeks, following vaccination (1). A post-vaccination immune response on ultrasound may demonstrate "hyperplastic axillary adenopathy" and "cortical thickening" of lymph nodes ipsilateral to vaccine administration site with an unremarkable contralateral axilla (1).

When a patient presents with unexplained axillary lymphadenopathy, a detailed history and physical exam can narrow down the potential cause significantly In our case, the patient presented with significant weight loss and lymphadenopathy, raising concern for a possible malignant process. Given that axillary lymph nodes are a lymphatic pathway for the breast, upper extremity, and thoracic wall, both a dedicated physical examination and imaging were appropriately directed towards these regions (4) . The normal serology findings in the patient decreased possibilities of hematologic etiologies, including lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmune processes. As the breast imaging assessment demonstrated significant improvement in lymphadenopathy compared to the CT, no lymph node biopsy was deemed warranted.

As COVID-19 vaccines become widely available, unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy may be self-identified by patients or found incidentally on imaging examinations. These cases of unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy may lead to costly clinical and radiologic workups. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain patient vaccination information, including date and location of vaccination to help to ensure patients are followed up appropriately, and to help guide future management recommendations.

All patient identifying information has been stripped from the images and movie files. Additionally, no patient identifying information is used in the case report.

No IRB approval was required for this manuscript. 

The authors have no relevant disclosures pertaining to this publication. References: 1. World Health Organization. WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard

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