Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Lymphadenopathy is defined as abnormality in the size or character of lymph nodes, is caused by the invasion or propagation of either inflammatory cells or neoplastic cells into the nodes.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the etiological and clinical characteristics of Lymphadenopathy in adults.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Sixty patients with Lymphadenopathy attended Hematology department/Baghdad Teaching Hospital for the period between December 2011 and April 2012. Diagnostic procedures included clinical history and examination, complete blood count, lymph node, bone marrow studies and immunohistochemistry studies.
RESULTS:
Thirty six male and 24 female patients were included, with mean age of 36.2 ±16.3 years. Malignant causes were found in 55(92%), mainly lymphomas 40(66.7%), while benign causes constituted only 8 %( 5 patients). Size, consistency and systemic symptoms were important parameters in differentiation between both, and immunohistochemistry was important in reaching a diagnosis in one patient and in solving the discrepancy between lymph node and bone marrow results in other patient.
CONCLUSION:
Lymph node and bone marrow examination, in addition to immunohistochemistry were important investigation to reach a diagnosis in patients with Lymphadenopathy. High malignant etiology is attributed to being the study done in tertiary hospital.