A clinicopathological study of cervica lymphadenopathy

BACKGROUND: Cervical lymphadenopathy is one among the common presentations in ENT OPD with its causes ranging from mild infections to life threatening malignancies.
METHODS: 50 patients presenting to ENT OPD with cervical lymphadenopathy were selected after taking informed consent. Routine clinical laboratory and pathological investigations were done. Radiological investigations and open biopsy were done if required. RESULTS: Reactive and malignancy cases accounted for the most cases, contributing for 68 percent (34 out of 50) of all cases, or 34 percent each. Only a quarter of the cases (12 out of 50) were due to tuberculosis. Out of 50 cases, only two were diagnosed with lymphoma and nonspecific lymphadenitis.n this investigation of 50 cases, 44 cases diagnosed clinically matched the FNAC findings, whereas 6 cases were found to be different, resulting in an 88 percent clinical diagnostic accuracy.43 of the radiologically diagnosed patients had the same FNAC diagnosis, while 7 of them differed on cytological analysis, resulting in an 86 percent radiological diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: Clinical evaluation followed by FNAC aids in the diagnosis of a case of cervical lymphadenopathy and can serve as a record for future care. For the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause, a thorough clinical examination and thorough investigations are required. If the diagnosis is delayed, the underlying cause may become incurable.