A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY

Dr. Basila Ali; Dr. Keith Luis Gomes; Dr. Nancy Parul Singh; Dr. Ramdas Rai

Volume : VII, Issue : II, February - 2018

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY

Dr. Basila Ali, Dr. Keith Luis Gomes, Dr. Nancy Parul Singh, Dr. Ramdas Rai

Abstract :

Background and Objectives

Cervical lymphadenopathy is a presenting sign of common problem that physicians and surgeons likely to face. For surgeons lymph node is an index of spread of infection and malignancy. In cervical lymphadenopathy, the most likely diagnosis is probably tuberculosis and malignancy or lymphoma�s. Fine needle aspiration Cytology (FNAC), is a well established procedure for the evaluation of lymphadenopathy which occurs in a wide spectrum of diseases. FNAC helps to a great extent in providing a quick diagnosis in most of the patients. The study intends to find out systematically the various pathological conditions presenting with enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, also the various modes of clinical presentation and behaviour of these conditions. The role of FNAC in diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy has will also be studied.

METHODS

All patients with Cervical Lymphadenopathy presenting in the Surgery ,Department of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Deralakatte, Mangalore were included in the study. Cases which were referred from other departments, neighboring PHC�s and hospitals were also included. A detail clinical history taken, clinical examination of the patient carried out. A clinical diagnosis was arrived at and further investigations were done to confirm the diagnosis. All patients undergone fine needle aspiration cytology and blood examination as routine. Radiological examination of chest was carried out to find out association of primary lesion in the lung. Biopsy was done where histo-pathological evidence was necessary. Treatment was instituted appropriately and follow-up done.

RESULTS

Of the 80 cases studied 66 % cases were non-neoplastic lesions of the lymph node whereas the remaining 34% were neoplastic. The male to female ratio was 1.28: 1. Cases occurred in the age group of 2 years to 73 years. Most of the patients (20%) in this study were in the age group of 51-60 years. Reactive lymphadenitis was the most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy followed by metatsasis.

CONCLUSION

The clinical behaviour of cervical lymphadenopathy can be highly variable and so a thorough clinical and pathological analysis of lymph nodes is very important.FNAC can be deemed as a frontline investigation with biopsy and histopathological examination done for confirmation in doubtful cases. FNAC is a very efficient, simple, safe, inexpensive and economical test for detecting the various causes of lymphadenopathy