OUTCOME OF EXCISIONAL CERVICAL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY

Objective: To determine the frequencies of various outcomes on excisional lymph node biopsy in cases presenting with cervical lymph adenopathy. Material and Methods; It was a descriptive, cross sectional multi centre study, conducted at Children Hospital Multan, Nishtar Hospital Multan and Rahim Yar Khan during the period of July to December 2018 in which 60 cases of cervical lymph node enlargement were enrolled. The cases of both genders falling in the age group of 12 to 70 years were included. The detailed socio demographic data and clinical history i.e. duration of lymph node enlargement was taken. Then these nodes were examined for their number, size, consistency and the data was recorded. These cases then underwent surgical excision at the surgical department of the same institute. The outcomes were assessed at the Pathology department of the same institute as well and the various outcomes were noted. Results: In this study there were total 60 cases out of which 33 (55%) were males and 27 (45%) females with mean age of 34.22 +/- 11.21 years. Out of 60 cases, 18 (30%) had firm to hard consistency and 42 (70%) had soft or rubbery consistency. On LN biopsy, TB was seen in 38 (63.33%) cases, metastatic malignancy in 14 (23.33%) cases, non-specific inflammation in 6 (10%) cases, and lymphoma in 2 (3.33%) cases. There was no significant difference in terms of age and gender in biopsy outcomes. However, the TB was seen significantly high in cases with soft consistency and malignancy in those with firm to hard one affecting 36 out of 42 and 12 out of 18 cases respectively with p= 0.01. Conclusion; Tuberculosis is the commonest presentation of cervical lymphadenopathy in our territory and soft and rubbery consistency is significantly associated with this.