Morphological patterns of FNAC of lymph nodes

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration cytology is fast becoming preoperative method of choice for diagnosis and management of various lumps and lesions since few decades. It helps clinician to decide mode of treatment in most cases in both non-neoplastic and neoplastic disorders. The aim of our study was to assess utility of FNAC in the diagnosis and management of lymph node disorders and distribution of these lesions according to different lymph node groups and age and sex distribution of these lesions. Materials and Methods: The present study was done during the period between December 2015 and May 2017 in the department of pathology (central clinical laboratory), Koppal Institute of medical sciences, Koppal. 10ml syringe and 23/24 gauge needles were used for the procedure. Material obtained was expressed on slide and smears were made by standard smearing technique. Both wet and air dried smears were made. Wet smears were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain and dry smears with Lieshman stain and Giemsa stain. Ziehl-Neelson staining for acid fast bacilli was done wherever required. Results: We assessed 204 cases of lymphadenopathy cases. We got satisfactory aspirate in most (97.1%) cases. Cervical group of lymph nodes were most commonly (82%) involved. Granulomatous lesions were most common in young adults and reactive nonspecific lesions were most common in paediatric group. Metastatic carcinomas were most common type after 50yrs age group. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration is simple, rapid and cost effective method to know the cause of lymphadenopathy. It significantly reduced unnecessary surgical biopsy for diagnosis of lymphadenopathies in our case.