ABSTRACT
Background: The purpose of the study is to find out the various cytomorphology of palpable superficial lymph nodes and to determine the diseases commonly affecting the lymph nodes and their prevalence in relation to age, sex and anatomical location. Methods: The study was a retrospective descriptive study, comprised of 500 patients with peripheral lymphadenopathy who attended Cytology OPD at Zoram Medical College, Falkawn, Mizoram during the period of August 2016 to July 2019. FNAC was done with the help of 23G needle with a negative suction from 20ml syringe. Smears from the aspirates were routinely stained with May-Grϋnwald-Giemsa. Acid fast bacilli (AFB), Papaniculaou (PAP) stains were done as and when required. Results: Nonspecific reactive lymphadenitis was the most common cytomorphological diagnosis accounting for 69% of the cases followed by Metastatic carcinoma accounting for 9.2%. Tuberculous lymphadenitis was seen in 7.4%, Granulomatous lymphadenitis accounted for 6%, and suppurative lymphadenitis accounted for 4.4%. Conclusion: The knowledge of the pattern of lymphadenopathy of a particular geographical area is a very useful diagnostic aid for clinicians and pathologists alike. In the present study, nonspecific reactive lymphadenitis was the commonest pattern affecting all age groups. Metastatic lymph node was the second most common reflecting the high incidence of carcinomas in Mizoram. Metastasis was most commonly seen in the age group of more than 40 years. The commonest site involved in all age groups was cervical lymph node.