Clinicopathologial evaluation of lymphadenopathy by FNAC in children and adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Lymph nodes are commonly involved in both children and adolescents in local and systemic conditions such as infections, lymphomas and metastatic deposits. FNAC is simple procedure used to diagnose such lesions. Material and Methods:The present study was conducted on 50 children and adolescents between the age group of 1-21 years that came in the pathology department of Govt. Medical College, Amritsar for FNAC of lymphadenopathy. Results : Maximum cases i.e. 21 (42%) were found to occur in adolescents followed by school aged children 16 (32%) with male: female ratio of 1.7:1. Upper cervical lymph nodes were most commonly involved in 19 (38%) cases followed by 8 (16%) in middle cervical. Most common lesion was tubercular lymphadenopathy 21 (42%) followed by reactive lymphadenitis 20 (40%). ZN staining with modified bleach method was found to be more sensitive in diagnosing cases of tubercular lymphadenopathy. Conclusion: FNAC provides an easy and reliable method for making the specific clinico-pathological diagnosis in majority of the cases of tuberculous and reactive lymphadenitis.