Cervical lymphadenopathy

ABSTRACT

This was a prospective study conducted at Surgical Unit-II, Liaquat Medical College Hospital [LMCH], Hyderabad / Jamshoro over a period of one and a half year, from April 1996 to September 1997 on patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. It included 85 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. The patients were subjected to a detailed history and physical examination. After relevant investigations biopsies were carried out. The information was obtained on a performa and results were complied. Of the 85 patients, 45 [52.9%] were males and 40 [47.1%] females. The peak incidence was seen between 1-20 years of age. The commonest pathology found in the cervical lymph nodes was tuberculosis [46%] followed by nonspecific reactive hyperplasia [NSRH] [19%], metastatic carcinoma [16%], Hodgkin's lymphoma [8%], acute lymphadenitis [6%] and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [5%]. We conclude that tuberculosis is the most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy and carcinoma is less as compared to the western figures. It is advised that any treatment for cervical lymphadenopathy should be preceded by histological proof