Histopathologic findings of lymph node biopsy cases in comparison with clinical features

Objective: To determine useful and important clinical signs and symptoms for evaluation of lymphadenopathy with consideration of histopathologic findings of biopsy. Methodology: This retrospective case-series study was done on patients hospital folders who came with lymphadenopathy, Information was collected about clinical signs, symptoms, age, gender and histopathologic findings. It was then analyzed by SPSS version 13 with chi-square test. Results: There were 208 specimens, 98 women (47.1%) and 110 men (52.9%). Mean age was 32.94 years. There were 45 cases (21.6%) of malignancy, 33 cases (15.9%) of infectious diseases and 130 cases (62.5%) of reactive lymphadenopathy. The most common histopathologic finding in all ages was reactive lymphadenopathy. Clinical signs and symptoms had significant relationship with pathologic findings. Conclusion: For a decision of lymph node biopsy attention to patients symptoms and signs especially B signs, size of the lymph node >2 cm, generalized lymphadenopathy, mobility of lymph node and splenomegaly seems to be the useful guide lines for physician. In this study it seems that decision to take biopsy was correct in 75% of the cases. (author)