AbstractIntroduction: Lymphadenopathy is a common clinical problem. Fine needle aspiration cytology is minimally invasive procedure and helpful in the diagnosis of various swellings especially superficial palpable swellings like lymph nodes.
Aim of the study:To study the spectrum of cytological and histopathological findings of lymph nodes.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study where 220 patients underwent FNAC procedure of lymph nodes and out of which 80 patients subsequently underwent biopsy procedure. The patient demographics, clinical presentation, site and consistency of lymph nodes, the cytology and histopathology findings were studied.
Results: There were total 220 patients with 120 males and 100 females and the patient age ranged from 1 to 80 years. Non-neoplastic lesions were more common (95%) than neoplastic lesions (5%). Cervical nodes were the most commonly affected nodes. Granulomatous inflammation of tuberculous etiology was the most common diagnosis (50% cases) on FNAC and also on biopsy. Metastatic malignancy was more common than primary lymphomas.
Conclusion: Lymphadenopathy due to non-neoplastic causes is more common than neoplastic causes. Attention to clinical details is important for evaluation of all cases of lymphadenopathy. Tuberculosis is one of the most common causes giving rise to lymphadenopathy. Metastatic involvement of lymph nodes is more common than primary lymphomas.
Keywords: Lymph Nodes; Cervical; FNAC; Lymph Node Biopsy.