Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Comparative Cytomorphological Profile of Paediatric and Adult Lymphadenopathy with Emphasis on Smear Characteristics in Tuberculous Lymphadenitis


Affiliations
1 Pathology Department, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, India
2 Division of Cytopathology, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), New Delhi, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Aims

1. To compare the cytological spectrum of pediatric and adult lymphadenopathy.

2. To analyze the differences between and cytomorphological appearances of the aspirates from tuberculous lymph nodes in the two age groups.

Material and Methods

Fine needle aspirate (FNA) smears from 500 consecutive patients with peripheral lymphadenopathy, each in paediatric (≤ 14 years) and adult (> 14 years) age groups, were retrospectively analyzed. Smear patterns in tuberculous lymphadenitis were studied in detail. The smears were air dried and stained by May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) stain. Ziehl Neilson (ZN) staining to demonstrate acid fast bacilli (AFB) was performed where necessary.

Observations

The most frequent diagnosis on FNA was tuberculosis in both age groups (children 57%, adults 82 %), followed by reactive hyperplasia in children (37.8 %) and metastasis in adults (7.9%). Frequency of tuberculosis was significantly more in adults (p <0.001) while that of reactive process was significantly more in children (p<0.001). Cervical lymph nodes were involved most frequently by tubercular process (children 87%, adults 84 %). Caseous material or pus was aspirated in almost 2/3rd patients. The most frequent microscopic pattern was presence of granulomas against a lymphoid background, followed by necrosis only and the highest AFB positivity was found in necrotic smears in both age groups. Acute/ mixed inflammatory response, devoid of granulomas, was observed significantly more often in children as compared to adults. (p< 0.001).

Conclusions

FNAC is a useful, minimally invasive first line investigation to evaluate lymphadenopathy. An early diagnosis on FNA allows clinicians to plan and institute appropriate treatment in most cases.


Keywords

Lymph Node, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, Tuberculous Lymphadenitits
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Annam V, Kulkarni MH, Puranik RB. Clinico pathologic profile of significant cervical lymphadenopathy in children aged 1 – 12 years. Acta Cytol 2009; 53(2): 174-8.

  • Handa U, Mohan H, Bal A. Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in evaluation of paediatric lymphadenopathy. Cytopatholgy 2003; 14: 66-69.

  • Reddy MP, Moorchung N, Chaudhary A. Clinico-pathological profile of paediatric lymphadenopathy. Indian J Paediatr 2002; 69: 1047-51.

  • Das Gupta et al. Fine needle aspiration cytology of cervical lymphadenopathy with special reference to tuberculosis. IMA 1993; 92: 44-46.

  • Eisenhutt CC,. King DE, Nelson WA, Olson LC, Wall RW, Glant MD. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of paediatric lesions; a three year study in outpatient biopsy clinic. Diagn Cytopathol 1996; 14: 43-50.

  • Jain M, Majumdar DD, Agarwal K, Bais AS, Chodhary M. FNAC as diagnostic tool in paediatric head and neck lesions. Indian Paediatr 1999; 36: 921-23.

  • de Schoot LV, Aronson DC, Behrendt H, Bras J. The role of fine needle aspiration cytology with persistent or suspicious lymphadenopathy. J Paediatr Surg 2001; 36: 7-11.


Abstract Views: 311

PDF Views: 0




  • Comparative Cytomorphological Profile of Paediatric and Adult Lymphadenopathy with Emphasis on Smear Characteristics in Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

Abstract Views: 311  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Parul Singhal
Pathology Department, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, India
Sanjay Gupta
Division of Cytopathology, Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), New Delhi, India

Abstract


Aims

1. To compare the cytological spectrum of pediatric and adult lymphadenopathy.

2. To analyze the differences between and cytomorphological appearances of the aspirates from tuberculous lymph nodes in the two age groups.

Material and Methods

Fine needle aspirate (FNA) smears from 500 consecutive patients with peripheral lymphadenopathy, each in paediatric (≤ 14 years) and adult (> 14 years) age groups, were retrospectively analyzed. Smear patterns in tuberculous lymphadenitis were studied in detail. The smears were air dried and stained by May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) stain. Ziehl Neilson (ZN) staining to demonstrate acid fast bacilli (AFB) was performed where necessary.

Observations

The most frequent diagnosis on FNA was tuberculosis in both age groups (children 57%, adults 82 %), followed by reactive hyperplasia in children (37.8 %) and metastasis in adults (7.9%). Frequency of tuberculosis was significantly more in adults (p <0.001) while that of reactive process was significantly more in children (p<0.001). Cervical lymph nodes were involved most frequently by tubercular process (children 87%, adults 84 %). Caseous material or pus was aspirated in almost 2/3rd patients. The most frequent microscopic pattern was presence of granulomas against a lymphoid background, followed by necrosis only and the highest AFB positivity was found in necrotic smears in both age groups. Acute/ mixed inflammatory response, devoid of granulomas, was observed significantly more often in children as compared to adults. (p< 0.001).

Conclusions

FNAC is a useful, minimally invasive first line investigation to evaluate lymphadenopathy. An early diagnosis on FNA allows clinicians to plan and institute appropriate treatment in most cases.


Keywords


Lymph Node, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, Tuberculous Lymphadenitits

References