A clinicopathological profile and role of newer methods in diagnosis of paediatric tubercular lymphadenopathy

Objectives: Lymphadenopathy is a common finding in children and poses a diagnostic dilemma. There are various conventional methods for the diagnosis of tubercular lym- phadenopathy with some newer methods like GeneXpert Assay recently introduced. This study emphasizes the role of newer diagnostic methods and a detailed clinicopathological profile of paediatric patients. Methods: This was a four-year prospective study including a total of 512 children under 13 years who were clinically suspected of tubercular lymphadenopathy were included. FNAC followed by ZN staining, Modified bleach method, MTP 64 Antigen testing, Ge - neXpert MTB/RIF Assay analysis and Culture was performed on the adequate samples and studies of comparison were done. Results: Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of different methods were com - pared and GeneXpert outshined the other method of diagnosis with a sensitivity of 93.1%, specificity of 100 % and diagnostic accuracy of 97.5%. Interpretation & conclusions: GeneXpert essay should be included in early in the diag- nostic workflow of paediatric lymphadenopathy which will potentially improve the ove - rall detection and reduce the turn-around time, thus preventing the unnecessary delay in treatment thus reducing the overall burden of TB.