Efficacy of aspiration cytology in suspected metastatic neck lymph nodes

Abstract

Background: Fine needle aspiration of neck nodes is quick, safe and convenient method for the diagnosis of various lesions. The procedure is well tolerated by the patients, has minimal complications and repeatable. Because of its minimally invasive characteristic, this technique is now being used routinely for quick and accurate diagnosis. Enlarged lymph nodes are one of the most frequently sampled tissues. The diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in neck node malignancy is high. Aims & Objective: To study efficacy of aspiration cytology in suspected metastatic neck lymph nodes. Material and Methods: A prospective hospital based study was conducted among patients attending cytology lab in Department of Pathology, of a tertiary care centre in this region over a period of three years. All new patients having clinically suspected neck lymph nodes were included in the study. All previously treated patients and those with recurrence were excluded from the study. Cervical lymph nodes were aspirated, and smears were prepared & processed following standard techniques. Findings were correlated with previous studies. A total number of 225 cases were examined. Results: A total of 225 cases of lymph node aspirates were examined. Out of these, 190 cytologically diagnosed cases, as metastatic cervical lymph nodes were further evaluated. Most number of cases was seen in males, in the age group of 45-76 years. Higher number of patients had known primary sites, seen in oral cavity. Confirmatory cytological diagnosis could be made in maximum number of cases. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration cytology is a safe, rapid and highly accurate method for diagnosis of superficially palpable lymph nodes. It is now considered as a routine OPD procedure, and most convenient method for confirmation of suspected metastatic nodes.

Role of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Diagnosis of Metastatic Lymphadenopathy

“…21 However, Ojo et al found axillary nodes to be most common site of involvement followed by cervical lymph nodes. 22 In the present study most common metastatic lesion was Squamous cell carcinoma which was in concordance with results of S Prasad et al 14 and others. 1,17,23 It was followed by metastatic adenocarcinoma and metastatic duct carcinoma breast.…”

“…In our study peak incidence of metastatic lesion was in the 4 th -6 th decade. Our findings correlated well with that of Ahmad et al and Sarda et al 11,12 Age range was almost comparable to Nesreen H. Hafez et al (4.5-82years) 13 but was less according to S Prasad et al (20 to 76 years) 14 ; but the most common age group affected were almost similar. In study done by Nesreen H. Hafez et al the mean age (46 years) 13 was slightly lower than our study.…”

“…This results were attributed to low incidence of various addictions in females. Similar results were shown by Mehrotra et al (3.8:1) 16 and comparable results were obtained in other Indian studies like S Prasad et al (3:1) 14 & Bhattarcharjee et al (2.9:1). 17 However lower results have been reported by foreign authors.…”

Analysis of FNAC in diagnosis of lymphadenopathy-a retrospective study from a regional cancer centre, Cuttack, Odisha

“…Indian studies shown the higher result by whereas foreign authors have been reported lower results. [16][17][18] Ghartimagar et al, reported the incidence of metastasis to be more common in females than males with a male to female ratio of 1:1.25. 19 In most of studies, it has been observed that cervical lymph node involvement is most predominant in both benign and malignant disease process, possibly due to their proximity to anatomical passages of the body that is constantly exposed to environmental infectious agents.…”

A cytological study on metastatic lymphnode deposits in a tertiary care hospital

“…FNAC has a significant role in neck lymph nodes, particularly those with metastasis. 3 FNAC confirms the presence of metastatic disease and gives a clue regarding its nature and origin of primary malignancy. It is very useful in detecting recurrence and new metastases.…”