Cytomorphological spectrum of enlarged lymph nodes

Abstract

Fine Needle Aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, cost effective, rapid and reliable technique which can be used as a routine outpatient department (OPD) procedure and first line of investigation in diagnosing a variety of superficial and deep lesions. Enlarged lymph nodes is one of the common complaint in the surgical OPD's. Lymphadenopathy is of great clinical significance and the underlying cause may range from a treatable infectious etiology to malignant neoplasms. Any lymph node greater than 1 cm can be aspirated with least complications to arrive at the diagnosis. Objectives of Study: To study the cytomorphology of enlarged lymph nodes to aid in diagnosis and treatment. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study with 261 cases of lymph node lesions.Clinical data and FNAC of lymph node cytology reports were obtained from the archives during the period of January 2019-December 2019(1 year study). Results: In this study a total of 261 cases were examined. The age group of patients ranged from 4yrs -72yrs. Out of 261 cases, 116 cases were reported as Caseating granulomatous lymphadenitis, followed by 99 cases as Reactive lymphadenitis, 25 cases as Suppurative granulomatous lymphadenitis, 15 cases as Suppurative lymphadenitis, 3 cases as Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases as Metastatic adenocarcinoma, 2 cases as Non Hodgkin lymphoma, 1 case as Hodgkin lymphoma, 1 case as Kikuchi lymphadenitis, 1 case as BCG lymphadenitis. Conclusion: FNAC Lymph node emphasizes on diagnosing inflammatory treatable conditions and malignant neoplastic conditions, there by guiding the patients for early intervention.

Exploring the Spectrum of Lymphadenopathy: Insights From a Three-Year Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Study in a Tertiary Care Center

“…Most of the patients with reactive lymphadenitis were in the age group of 11 to 20 years. The study by Ashwini et al, [23] and Tiwari et al, [24] revealed that most patients with lymphadenopathy were cases of tuberculosis which is not consistent with the present study. The study conducted by Ashwini et al, [23] revealed that out of 310 lymph nodes 151 were tuberculosis, 109 were granulomatous and 15 were neoplastic (12 metastatic, 03 -Lymphoma).…”

“…The study by Ashwini et al, [23] and Tiwari et al, [24] revealed that most patients with lymphadenopathy were cases of tuberculosis which is not consistent with the present study. The study conducted by Ashwini et al, [23] revealed that out of 310 lymph nodes 151 were tuberculosis, 109 were granulomatous and 15 were neoplastic (12 metastatic, 03 -Lymphoma). The study conducted by Attaullah et al, [25] found that of 235 cases of lymphadenopathy, 110 cases were of granulomatous lymphadenitis, which is in concordance with the present study.…”

“…The prevalence of specific etiologies of lymphadenopathy also varies among studies. Tuberculosis features prominently in our study (21 cases) as well as in the studies by Ashwini et al [23] and Tiwari et al [24]. Conversely, Lee et al [16] reported a higher incidence of metastatic lymphadenopathy (376 cases), which was not observed in our study.…”