Association of COVID-19 vaccine with lymph node reactivity: an ultrasound-based study

Abstract

Aim: Millions of people worldwide have been infected and died due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19. Vaccination is the most effective way to deal with the pandemic. Though vaccines are safe, they are not completely risk-free, and some side effects can occur after vaccination such as lymphadenopathy. This study, it was aimed to measure the lymph node reactivity that may develop after mRNA vaccination. Material and Method: A total of 50 healthy people were included in the study. Left axillary and supraclavicular ultrasound examinations were performed before and one week after the administration of the mRNA vaccine. Each patient was assessed for supraclavicular and level 1 axillary lymph region in terms of the presence, size (long and short axis), and cortex thickness of the lymph nodes. Results: Of the patients participating in the study, 23 (46 %) were male, 27 (54 %) were female, and the median age was 33. In comparison, the difference in long, short axis and cortex diameter measurements of the supraclavicular lymph node before and after vaccination was found to be statistically significant (p=0.034, 0.021, 0.004, respectively). Similarly, the difference in the long, short axis, and cortex thickness of the left axillary lymph node before and after vaccination was statistically significant (p<0.001, <0.001, <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Anti-Covid-19 vaccines may cause lymphadenopathy as a result of reactivation in lymph nodes in the left axillary and supraclavicular regions. When lymphadenopathy is detected in these regions, the vaccine should be questioned in the clinical history and ultrasound follow-up should be performed on the patient.