DR. KAVITHA S,DR. VOLGA H,DHANASEKARAN
DOI: https://doi.org/Introduction: In developing nations, compelling display of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is peripheral lymphadenopathy. In Southeast Asia, tuberculous lymphadenitis accounts for a significant proportion of cases of enlarged neck lymph nodes. We aim to appraise the cytomorphological patterns in cases of tubercular lymphadenitis and associate acid fast bacilli positivity with various cellular morphology and cytology patterns.
Methods: Prospective cross sectional study design was exercised in a six-month span from July to December 2023. Of the 239 patients exhibiting lymphadenopathy, 150 cases were diagnosed with tuberculous lymphadenitis and underwent cytomorphological evaluation using Hematoxylin & Eosin, Giemsa, and Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears. The personal and clinical data of these patients were also recorded in a predetermined pro forma.
Results: Our study noted a male preponderance, with the highest incidence in the third decade. The majority of cases involved cervical lymph nodes (118, 78.66%). On cytomorphological examination, patterns A, B, and C were noticed in 28 (18.67%), 73 (48.67%), and 49 (32.67%) cases, respectively. AFB grading revealed a hefty number funneled to Grade 3+ [87 cases (58.00%)], seconded by Grade 1+ [37 cases (24.67%)], and trailed by Grade 2+ [26 cases (17.33%)]. Overall AFB positivity was 55.33%.
Conclusion: Although Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is a relatively painless, economical procedure with high sensitivity for diagnosing tuberculous lymphadenitis, our study concludes that the diagnostic yield can be enhanced by examining the cytomorphological patterns amalgamated with acid-fast bacilli detection by ZN staining.
