Fine needle aspiration cytology versus histopathology in diagnosing lymph node lesions

Fine needle aspirates [FNA] of superficial lymph nodes were obtained from 150 patients complaining of lymphadenopathy. Cytological findings were analysed in correlation with the corresponding histopathological diagnosis of the same excised nodes. Benign lesions were found in more than half of the patients [55.3%], the majority of which were nonspecific reactive hyperplasia followed by tuberculous lymphadenitis. Lymphomas constituted the main pathology in malignant involvement [26.0%], while metastatic lesions formed 16.7% and leukaemia 2.0%. The results of FNA compared favourably with those of tissue biopsies, with an accuracy rate of 89.6% for malignant lymphadenopathy. The appropriate use of FNA may obviate the need for an open biopsy