Introduction

Lymphadenopathy is one of the most common clinical presentations of patients attending the outpatient department. The degree and pattern of morphological changes depend on the inciting stimulus and the intensity of the response. Thus, lymphadenopathy may be an incidental finding and/orprimary or secondary manifestation of underlying diseases which may be neoplastic or non‑neoplastic.^[1]

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, safe, reliable, rapid and inexpensive method of establishing the diagnosis of lesions and masses in various sites and organs⁽²⁾. Lymph node aspiration is of great value for the diagnosis of lymphadenitis, lymphomas and metastatic carcinoma^(3,4). The value of FNA also lies in giving early direction of appropriate investigation of the lesion. Aspirates from lymph nodes are usually very cellular and their interpretation varies from clear diagnosis to firm reuest for histopathology. The knowledge of pattern of lymphadenopathy in a given geographical area is essential for making a confident and definite diagnosis or suspecting a disease.

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Dr Summyia Farooq

MD Pathology, Medical Officer

JLNM Hospital Srinagar