Cytological study and ZN staining of aspirates from presumptive tubercular lymphadenopathy in a tertiary centre

Dr. Arvind Kumar; Dr. Sunil Kumar Mahto; Dr. Kumar Yogesh

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

Cytological study and ZN staining of aspirates from presumptive tubercular lymphadenopathy in a tertiary centre

Dr. Arvind Kumar, Dr. Sunil Kumar Mahto, Dr. Kumar Yogesh

Abstract :

Background : The most common manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is peripheral lymphadenopathy [1,2]. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) being patient friendly, cost effective and conclusive method for diagnosis of EPTB, is therefore commonly used [3]. Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining is used to look for acid fast bacilli (AFB) in the aspirates from lymph nodes. Methods and material : In the Department of pathology, RIMS, Ranchi, a prospective study was done from August 2019 to April 2020. Smears prepared from fine needle aspiration of suspected TBLN of 229 patients was used for cytomorphological and bacteriological study. Results : In our study, we found that cervical lymph nodes were the most common lymph nodes involved. Cytomorphologically, 141 out of 229 patients i.e. 61.57% were diagnosed with TBLN. Among these 141 patients, 62 patients (43.97%) were positive for AFB on ZN staining. Most common cytomorphological finding was necrosis without epithelioid cell granuloma with highest AFB positivity. Conclusion : FNAC along with ZN staining should be the 1st line of investigation for the diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenopathy.