Abstract

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is simple, rapid, cost effective 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 (USG or CT Guided).  Lymphadenopathy is of great clinical significance and the underlying cause may range from infectious etiology to malignant neoplasms. In this study, we describe the diagnostic utility of FNAC in the diagnosis of lymph node lesions with an emphasis on the diagnosis of non-neoplastic, benign and malignant neoplastic lymp node lesions.
Methods: This was a retrospective study and a total of 376 patients including all age groups and both sexes presenting with palpable or deep lymph nodes in FNAC clinic of our institute over a period of 1 year were included in our study. FNAC was conducted with 22-24 Gauge disposable needles attached to 20c.c syringes. Smears were fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol and stained with Papanicolaou stain. Leishman stain was done on air dried smears. ZiehlNeelsen (ZN) staining was done wherever required.
Results: Out of 376 aspirations from lymph nodes, the most frequent cause of lymphadenopathy was found to be Tuberculosis with 152 cases (40.42%). The next frequent diagnosis was reactive lymphadenitis with 129 cases (34.30%) followed by malignant lymphadenopathy in 53 cases (14.09%). A diagnosis of suppurative lymphadenopathy in 39 cases (10.37%). In 03 cases (0.79%) diagnosis was Rosai-Dorfman disease.
Conclusion: In our study, the predominant cause of lymphadenopathy was tuberculous lymphadenitis, followed by reactive lymphadenopathy and malignant neoplasms. FNAC of lymph nodes is an excellent first line investigation to determine the nature of lesion.