CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY

BACKGROUND Neck is the most common site of peripheral lymph node enlargement and is very often encountered in otolaryngology outpatient department. AIMS This study was done to identify the aetiology and clinicopathological correlation of cervical lymphadenopathy. METHODS AND MATERIALS This study was done in patients presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy in the Otolaryngology and TB and Chest Outpatient Department of School of Medical Sciences and Research, Greater Noida, India, between December 2013 and November 2014. 74 patients who underwent fine needle aspiration cytology of cervical lymph nodes were reviewed in relation to their clinical and demographic profiles. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Data was collected using a proforma and data collected included patients demographics. The data obtained underwent standard statistical analysis. RESULTS In the cytology and histopathology, reactive nonspecific lymphadenitis (38 cases out of 74 cases, 51.35%) was the most common diagnosis. Tuberculosis accounted for 23 cases out of 74 cases of cervical lymph node enlargement. Among the metastatic neck nodes, squamous cell carcinoma was most prevalent. The commonest age group affected was 21-30 years. Constitutional symptoms were absent in most of patients. Upper deep jugular group were the most commonly involved lymph node group. All the patients with cervical tubercular lymphadenopathy were treated with short course daily chemotherapy for six months. Surgery was not needed in majority of patients except in few cases where excision biopsy was performed. CONCLUSION This study highlights the role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis and management of cervical lymphadenopathy. Knowledge about the clinical and demographic profile of cervical lymphadenopathy will help the otolaryngologists to detect the cases early for management.