Spectrum of inflammatory lesions in superficial lymph node biopsies in Uyo, Nigeria (2007 to 2015)

Abstract

Introduction:  The lymph node is commonly involved by a spectrum of inflammatory pathologies, some of which are associated with graven morbidity and  mortality if not promptly treated.
Objectives: To analyze  pathological spectrum of involvement of peripheral lymph nodes by various inflammatory lesions at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and a private specialist laboratory in Uyo, Akwa Ibom  State,  Nigeria between January 2007 and December, 2015.
Methodology: A retrospective review of all Haematoxylin and Eosin stained slides of lymph node specimens were undertaken. Relevant data were extracted from their laboratory request forms, registers and reports.
Results: A total of 66 histologically confirmed diagnoses of inflammatory lesions of superficial lymph node were made; males outnumbered females in the ratio of 1.2:1. The age of these patients ranged from 0.75 to 78 years with a mean age of 26.5 years. The modal age group was 11-20 years, accounting for 24 cases (36.4%).  Fifty - two (78.8%) cases of inflammatory lesion occurred in patients aged below 30 years. Cervical lymph node was the most common biopsied site for inflammatory lesions, constituting 38 (57.6%) cases; followed by axillary and inguinal lymph nodes in order of frequencies of 13 (19.7%) and 7 (11.7%) cases respectively. Tuberculous lymphadenitis was the commonest inflammatory lesion, accounting for 30 out of 66 cases (45.5%); this is followed by reactive hyperplasia representing 18 out of 66 cases (27.3%). Necrotinizing chronic lymphadenitis, HIV - associated lymphadenopathy, benign reticuloses, and Castleman disease were other inflammatory lesions seen in 12.1%, 7.6%, 4.5%, and 3.0% of cases respectively.
Conclusion: Tuberculous lymphadenitis and  reactive hyperplasia were the most preponderant inflammatory lesions of superficial  lymph node in our environment with children and cervical lymph node being more favourably affected.