Patterns of lymph node pathology using biopsy evaluation tool for lymphadenopathy: a retrospective descriptive study conducted at Al Hussein Medical City 2014–2016

Abstract

Objective The study was assumed to determine the histopathological spectrum of lymphadenopathic specimens and showed the age and gender variation of these lesion. Methods It was a descriptive retrospective study wherein 130 cases of lymph node biopsy reports of specimens from patients 3 months to 81 years at Al Hussein Medical City between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2016 were studied. Results A total of 130 lymph node biopsies were received of which female 58.46% (76 cases) and male 41.53% (54 cases), a male to female ratio of 1:1.4 and the P value 0.011 with significance difference. The age range was from 3 months to 81 years. Most cases were seen in the age group of 21-30 years (25 cases 19.23%). The non-neoplastic lesions were more common comprising 66.9% (87 cases) included 46.9% (61 cases) of chronic nonspecific lymphadenitis, tuberculosis lymphadenitis 18.46% (24 cases) and other lesions 1.5%, while the neoplastic lesions 33.07% (43 cases) included non-Hodgkin lymphoma 13.07% (17 cases), Hodgkin lymphoma 12.30% (16 cases) and secondary metastasis 7.69% (10 cases). The more common site was cervical 93.07% (121 cases), axillary 4.6% (6 cases), inguanal 1.5% (2 cases) and mesenteric 0.7% (1 case). Conclusions The most common pathological pattern seen was chronic nonspecific lymphadenopathy (46.6%) followed by tuberculosis lymphadenitis 18.46%, non-Hodgkin lymphoma 13.07%, Hodgkin lymphoma 12.30%, and secondary metastasis 7.69% and others 1.5%. It is more common in female than male, and the more common site is cervical lymphadenopathy 93.07%. The earlier diagnosis and management of tuberculosis and earlier diagnosis of malignancies before the onset of nodal metastases may explain the result.