Tuberculous and Nontuberculous Lesion of Lymphnodes − Histopathological and Cytological Correlation

Background: The lymph node is one of the major anatomic components of the immune system. Lymph nodes are the most widely distributed and easily accessible component of lymphoid tissue and hence they are frequently examined for diagnosis of lymphoreticular disorders. Lymph node swellings are one of the commonest clinical presentation of patients and it encompasses a wide spectrum ranging from inflammation to a malignant lymphoma or a more obnoxious metastatic malignancy. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in correlation with histopathology in cases of cervical lymphadenopathies. Material and methods: Patients referred to the Department of Pathology, GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Sola Ahmedabad for period of 12 months from June 2021 to May 2022 for palpable lymph node swelling on whom FNAC procedure was performed were included in the study. FNAC diagnosis of patients was compared with histopathology in cases which underwent surgical excision and its diagnostic accuracy was studied. Results: Out of 100 cases which were included in the study, lymph node biopsy was carried out in all 100 cases. Most were in age group of 21 to 30 years. Gender wise, there was male preponderance. Benign lymphadenopathies were diagnosed in 93% of cases. Metastatic deposits were diagnosed in 7% of cases. On correlation of FNAC findings with histopathology, overall correlation rate was 85.2%. Conclusions: FNAC is especially helpful as lymphnode biopsy is a difficult and invasive procedure. Although excision biopsy is the gold standard, FNAC is preferred as first-line investigation.