Tuberculosis is still the leading cause of cervical lymphadenopathy-results of a fnac analysis in a tertiary care hospital

Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common clinical presentation. Enlarged cervical lymphnodes could be due to variety of causes ranging from simple infectious process to malignant neoplastic conditions. Enlarged salivary glands, thyromegaly are also mimickers for enlarged cervical lymphnodes, hence posing diagnostic challenges clinically.In those cases, FNAC can be used as first line diagnostic test. Purpose of this study is to utilize the usefulness of FNAC in diagnosis of both pediatric and adult cervical lymphadenopathy and to determine the spectrum of disease distribution among various age group patients in a tertiary care hospital. This is a retrospective study carried out at IRT Perundurai medical college for aperiod of two years from January 2018 to December 2019. 318 patients with enlarged neck nodes more than6-week duration were registered and aspirated. Aspirated material was used for cytology analysis using Haematoxylin and eosin staining, MGG staining. Special stains such as modified ziehlneelson staining for AFB was also done. Datas were statistically analyzed. Out of 318 cases of FNAC performed in patients with enlarged cervical nodes,268 cases were found to be adults, the most frequent cause in adults was found to be tuberculous lymphadenitis followed by metastatic carcinomatous deposit and third most common cause was reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, whereas in pediatric patients the most common cause was found to be reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. :In our study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, the most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy in adults was found to be tuberculous lymphadenitis followed by metastatic carcinomatous deposit whereas in case of pediatric cases the most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy is reactive lymphoid hyperplasia closely followed by tuberculous lymphadenitis. As per WHO –Sustainable development goals-to end TB epidemic in 2030-this study alarms the increasing burden on health sector in fighting against mycobacterium. FNAC is particularly efficacious in our country where mycobacterial infection is endemic. Hence early intervention is mandatory. .