Fine needle aspiration cytology in toxoplasmic lymphadenitis

ABSTRACT

During the period from October 1991 to February 1993, 120 patients with undiagnosed lymphadenopathy were subjected to FNA at Cytodiagnostic unit Ain Shams University Hospital. Cytologic examination was suggestive to toxoplasmosis in 21 cases. These cases were subjected to full history and clinical examination, complete blood picture, serologic examination and surgical biopsy in two. Toxoplasmosis was confirmed by serology in 10 and srology and biopsy in 2. These 12 patients were all of middle age except one. 9 were males and 3 were females. 7 had history of animal contact. Eosinophilia was present in 5. These results show that FNA of peripheral lymph nodes can avoid patients with toxoplasmosis unnecessary hospitalization for surgical biopsy