The predictive value of fine needle aspiration cytology in the assessment of cervical lymphadenopathy

الملخص EN

Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common clinical problem that needs a prompt diagnosis to manage.

FNAC plays an increasing role in the differentiation of its pathology.

The aim of this study was to show the value of cytological examination in the assessment of cervical lymphadenopathy in relation to histopathologically examination. A prospective study where 50 randomly selected patients with cervical lymphadenopathy underwent fine needle aspiration cytology in the pathological department, college of medicine, Kufa university, for the period from Feb.2004 to Feb.2005. Nonspecific lymphadenitis was the common pathology in 20 patients (40%), followed by tuberculosis lymphadenitis in 16 patients (32%), lymphoma in 22% and metastatic tumor in 12% of cases respectively.

In 44 patients out of 50 the pathology was confirmed histopathologically.

It is proved by this study that FNAC play an important role in the diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy as accurate as histopathologically examination