HISTOPATHALOGICAL PATTERN OF LYMPH NODE BIOPSIES TAKEN IN THREE TEACHING HOSPITALS OF BANNU (KPK)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the histopathological pattern of lymph node biopsies taken in three teaching hospitals of Bannu.METHOLOGY: This was a prospective observational study of patients, presenting to the departments of pulmonology and ENT in Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital, District Head Quarter Teaching Hospital and Women and Children Teaching Hospital of Bannu from 1st April 2011 to 31st December 2011.Seventy five patients with enlarged neck lymph nodes fulfilling the required criteria were included in the study. After detailed history and clinical evaluation, lymph nodes biopsies were obtained and sent for histopathological examination. The results obtained were analyzed for frequencies and percentages using SPSS version 16.RESULTS: A total of 75 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 35 years + std.dev of 13.5.The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Histopathological examination showed 39% Tuberculous, 33% reactive hyperplasia, 19% Lymphomas, 6% metastatic nodes and Toxoplasmosis, Infectious mononucleosis and sarcoidosis 1.3% each. Most patients with metastatic nodes were above 50 years. In tuberculous lymph nodes mostly patients were between 20 and 30 years.CONCLUSION: The important causes of lymphadenopathy in our setting aretuberculosis, reactive hyperplasia, lymphomas and metastatic malignancies, needing tissue diagnosis as early as possible for the prompt treatment.