RESUMO
Background: Lymphadenopathy in children can be a challenging clinical situation that requires a careful approach. Aim: To report the experience with fine needle aspiration biopsy for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. Patients and methods: Analysis of 95 pediatric patients, aged 3 months to 19 years old, referred by primary care physicians for the study of lymphadenopathy. All were subjected to a complete medical examination, laboratory tests and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Results: Seventy seven per cent of enlarged lymph nodes were located in the neck. Fine needle aspiration showed a hyperplastic adenitis in 44 patients (46 percent). In 13 patients, an infectious adenitis, sometimes suppurated was observed. In 9 patients a BCG or tuberculous adenitis with caseum was found. In 13 patients, citology disclosed a non lymphatic mass, in four patients a Hodgkin discase and in one, malignant cells of unknown origin. Four patients had a normal lymph node and in 2 the sample was insufficient for cytological analysis. Conclusions. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a simple and safe diagnostic method for lymphadenopathy in children