Comparison of Fine Needle Aspirate and Lymph Node Biopsy in Lymphadenopathy – A prospective clinical study

Abstract

Result of fine needle aspirate cytology (FNAC) to palpable lymph nodes of 150 patients are presented. Those are compared to the subsequent histopathological and clinical diagnosis. Benign lymphadenopathy ware the most common pathology seen (55%) including cases of non-specific reactive hyperplasia and Tuberculous lymphadenitis. Those were followed by lymphoma (26%), metastatic carcinoma(16%) while leukemia was diagnosed in only (2%) . The results of FNAC compared favorably with those of tissue biopsy with an overall accuracy of 89.5% for malignant lymphadenopathy, (90.5%) sensitivity and (98.8%) specificity. FNCA is proved to be an easy, safe, rapid and effective tool in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. Its successful use depends on a close cooperation between the pathologist and clinician.