Premium
Pathology of supraclavicular lymphadenopathy in Chandigarh, north India: an audit of 200 cases diagnosed by needle aspiration
Author(s) -
Gupta N.,
Rajwanshi A.,
Srinivasan R.,
Nijhawan R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1365-2303
pISSN - 0956-5507
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2303.2006.00285.x
Subject(s) - medicine , supraclavicular lymph nodes , malignancy , radiology , lymph , cervical lymphadenopathy , lymph node , fine needle aspiration , biopsy , general surgery , surgery , pathology , metastasis , cancer , disease
Objective: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of lymph nodes can be used routinely as a first‐line diagnostic test. The majority of studies reveal a malignant cause for palpable supraclavicular lymph nodes. The present audit further emphasizes the use of FNAC as a first‐line investigation for the evaluation of enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes. Methods: A total of 200 cases of palpable supraclavicular lymph node(s) were included in the present study. Results: Left supraclavicular lymph nodes were found to be more commonly involved (59.5% cases). Sixty‐four per cent cases showed metastatic deposits and 13.5% cases were diagnosed as tuberculosis. Ten per cent cases showed reactive lymphoid hyperplasia; 0.5% (one) case showed only necrosis and on autopsy, a microscopic focus of choriocarcinoma was found in the testis. In 7.5% cases, diagnostic material could not be aspirated despite repeated attempts. Common metastatic tumours were from lung (22% cases), breast (16.4% cases), cervix (11% cases) and oesophagus (8.6% cases). In 13.3% cases the primary site was unknown and the diagnosis of malignancy first came from FNAC. Conclusion: The present study further highlights the importance of FNAC as a first‐line diagnostic modality in the evaluation of supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. A full history, radiological findings and immunochemistry in difficult cases can help to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.