Management of non specific reactive hyperplastic lymphadenopathy in children

ABSTRACT

37 cases of children with chronic cervical lymphadenopathy previously undergone lymph node biopsy and diagnosed as non specific reactive hyperplasia [N.S.H.] were studied. They were subjected to complete clinical and laboratory investigation monthly for a period ranged from 3 to 10 months. 32 cases [86.5%] has shown complete gradual clinical resolution without any specific medication within a period of 1-6 months, with a mean of 4.1 months, 5 cases [13.5%] has shown clinical progression within a period of 1-3 months, second lymph node biopsy was taken, and 3 cases [8.1%] had tuberculous lymphadenitis, 1 case [2.7%] had Hodgkin's lymphoma. The last case [2.7%] had again N.S.R.H. which was followed for 2 months, a 3rd biopsy was done and the diagnosis was Hodgkin's lymphoma. So, good follow up of these cases both clinically and by investigation till the final diagnosis is reached or the lymphadenopathy completely disappear, was recommended. Also, 4 months period of follow up before deciding rebiopsy if no clinical regression started to occur was recommended. Rarely, there is a need to perform 3rd biopsy as what happened to the last case in this study