A Correlative Cytological and Histopathological Study on Superficial Lymphadenopathy

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. Objectives To assess the usefulness of the cytological study in the diagnosis of lymph node lesions, To evaluate the accuracy of FNAC studies in correlation with histopathological study. Study design cross sectional study. Specimens obtained from patients having lymph node enlargement (cervical, inguinal, axillary) of Govt Rajaji Hospital Madurai Medical College, Madurai were included in the study. FNAC was performed 388 patients, Out of which 87 patients had histo pathological correlation, The overall sensitivity for FNAC of superficial lymphadenopathy was 91.6 %, specifity was 98.3 %, and accuracy was 97 %. The result are quite encouraging and FNAC is recommended as the initial diagnostic test in the evaluation of superficial lymphadenopathy. Although F evaluation of superficial lymphadenopathy. Although FNAC has proven to be a simple, safe, reliable and cost effective diagnostic tool for lymphadenopathies, the limitation of the procedure should be kept in mind and excision biopsy should be used whenever required. Immunohistochemical staining is useful for confirmation of diagnosis in nodal lesions especially lymphoma and for further classification of lymphoma