Cervical lymphadenopathy – diagnosis by F.N.A.C., a study of 219 cases

Abstract

Objective: Cervical lymphadenopathy is one of the commonest presentations in inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. Fine needle aspiration
cytology (FNAC) a simple, and reliable technique can be used as a routine OPD procedure for establishing etiology of cervical lymphadenopathy.
In this study we describe cytomorphological patterns of FNAC of cervical lymph nodes and it's utility in establishing diagnosis.
Methods: This study was carried study was out at Government Medical College and Hospital, Miraj on 219 clinically diagnosed cases of cervical
lymphadenopathy over a period of two years. FNAC was carried out in all these patients. Biopsy and special stains were done in selected cases.
Patients included in the present study were in the age group of 11 months to 80 years.
Results: 83/219 (38%) cases were of tubercular lymphadenitis, 52/219 (24%) cases show Metastatic tumours, 49/219(22%) hyperplasic lymph
nodes, 24/219 (11%) acute lymphadenitis, 8/219 (3.7%) Lymphoma and 3/219(1.4%) were Leukemic Lymphadenopathy. Tubercular
lymphadenopathy was found with increasing frequency through adolescence (43.30%) to young adulthood (54.75%) & (48.18%) in adulthood.
67/219 (30.59%) cases of tuberculosis were in age group of 11-40 yrs. 39/219 (17.8%) cases of metastatic tumours were in the age group of 31-
60 yrs. Highest incidence of metastatic malignancy was seen in the fifth decade (35%).
Conclusions: The most frequent casuses of cervical lymphadenopathy are tuberculosis, metastatic malignancies and reactive lymphadenitis.
FNAC alone can help in establishing the diagnosis in large number of cases. In certain situation it can be enough for diagnosis in proper clinical
setting to avoid surgical procedure like biopsy.