ABSTRACT
To evaluate the causes of Peripheral Lymphadenopathy. A descriptive and cross sectional study conducted from July 2004 to June 2006. Department of Surgery and Pathology, Nawabshah Medical College and Hospital, Nawabshah. A total of 116 patients with Peripheral Lymphadenopathy. The patients were evaluated for outcome parameters in relation to age, sex. Site and specific cause of peripheral lymphadenopathy. A total of 116 patients including 64 [55.17%] females and 52[44.82%] males were evaluated for peripheral lymphadenopathy. Their ages ranged between nine months to 70 years with a mean age of 27.14 years; majority belonged to the age group 11 to 20 years. Forty seven [40.51%] patients had cervical lymph nodes enlargement, 42 [36.20%] mesenteric, 24 [20.86%] axillary and 3 [2.85%] inguinal nodes enlargement. Tuberculosis and malignancy were the main causes of lymphadenopathy with an incidence of 53.44% and 13.79% respectively. Nine [7.75%] cases had acute lymphadenitis and 27 [23.25%] reactive hyperplasia, while in tow [1.72%] cases no pathology was detected. Peripheral Lymphadenopathy without any obvious cause presents a diagnostic dilemma