Fine needle aspiration cytology: A diagnostic tool in evaluation of lymphadenopathy in pediatric age

Publication date: Available online 19 December 2017
Source:Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
Author(s): Komal Sawaimul, Banyameen Iqbal, Vijayalaxmi Sawaimul, Tushar Kambale, Harsh Kumar
BackgroundA child presenting with lymphadenopathy is the commonest scenario at pediatrician. Unexplained lymphadenopathy is always a source of great concern and anxiety to the parents. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well-established and accepted technique as an minimally invasive, rapid, cost effective and relatively safe and simple method for diagnosing wide spectrum of lesions. Excision biopsy can be avoided in many pediatric cases, thereby limiting their surgical complications. The present study is designed to evaluate the diagnostic role of FNAC in lymphadenopathy in pediatric age group.Material and methodsThis is a retrospective study which was undertaken in the Department of Pathology, in a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra from July 2014 to November 2017. Total 312 pediatric patients (<16 years) who have undergone FNAC of various lymph nodes were studied retrospectively.ResultsMaximum number of aspirates was found to be of benign nature i.e. 96.80% and rest (3.20%) were malignant. Anatomic site subdivision of FNAC diagnosis revealed a distinct preponderance of anterior cervical lymph nodes i.e. 41.02%. Majority of aspirates were reactive i.e. 61.53%.While 10 aspirates were found to be positive for malignancy. Cytomorphological and histopathological correlation was available in only 16.34%.ConclusionTo conclude, FNAC is found to be safe, simple, cost-effective procedure with high diagnostic accuracy and has got a very good patient and parents acceptance. Hence FNAC can very well be used as a reliable initial screening and diagnostic tool in all the lymphadenopathy cases in pediatric age group. Health care providers must realize the same in a resource limited settings like ours and refer all the pediatric patients for it appropriately.



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