Evaluation of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Technique for Early Diagnosis of Tubercular Lymphadenitis in Patients Presenting at a Primary Care Setting in India

Aims: The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether FNAC helps in detecting tubercular lymphadenitis (TB LAN) at an early stage in a primary care setting. Demographic and cytomorphological profile of TB LAN in this part of the country is also analyzed.

Study Design: The study is a retrospective analysis of all FNAC procedures carried out in patients of lymphadenopathy (LAP). Cases diagnosed as TB LAN are analyzed further.

Place and Duration of Study: All patients of LAP presenting at Ama Diagnostic Centre, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, between August 2008 to December 2015.

Methodology: FNAC procedure was carried out on 780 patients of whom 762 cases yielded adequate material. Of these, 245 cases were diagnosed as TB LAN based on cytomorphological details and Zeihl Neelsen staining.

Results: TB LAN is the second most common cause of lymphadenitis. Lymph nodes of head and neck region are involved most frequently in TB LAN. Majority of TB LAN patients are in 2nd and 3rd decade of life. The disease tends to occur at a younger age in this part of the country.

Conclusions: Cytomorphological profile of the aspirates indicates that use of FNAC helps in detecting TB LAN at an earlier stage of the disease. Majority of the cases of TB LAN are seen between 10-30 years of age. It also occurs at an earlier age in this part of the country. In about 90% of cases TB LAN tends to involve lymph nodes of the head and neck region.