Fazali Wahid, Habibur Rehman Afridi, Muhammad Javaid, Qaisar Khan, Isteraj Khan Shahabi.
Tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy: FNAC based study of 100 cases.
J Med Sci Jan ;19(3):119-21.

Objective: To determine the incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) in cervical lymphadenopathy based on FNAC as a diagnostic tool. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted at the Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, PGMI Lady Reading, Hospital, Peshawar during two years from January 2008 to December 2009. All the patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were properly evaluated in terms of detailed history, thorough examination and relevant investigation. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology was performed in all patients after taking well informed consent and open biopsy only when FNAC was inconclusive. The data was collected on a proforma. Results: The study included 100 cases of cervical lymphadenopathy. The ages of the patients ranged from 4-56 years with median age of 30 years. Females were 62, males were 38 and female: male ratio was 1.6:1. The majority of patients 60% belonged to lower socioeconomic group. The presenting symptoms were neck swellings in all cases (100%) followed by fever in 42 cases (42%) and cough in 15 cases (15%). History of contact with a Tuberculous patient was positive in 28 cases (28%). Fifty three cases (53%) were vaccinated against TB and 47 patients (47%) had no BCG scar. The ESR value was significantly high in 90 cases (90%) while Mantoux test was positive in 47 cases (47%). Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 92 cases (92%) by FNAC and 8 cases (8%) were diagnosed by open biopsy. These patients were subjected to regular follow up for response to treatment. Conclusion: FNAC is the established diagnostic tool for Tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy. It is less invasive, rapid and a cost effective procedure.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com