Peripheral Lymphadenopathy in Basrah. A Histopathological Study of 1167 Cases during (1980-1997) Periods

Abstract

A review of the histopathological examination reports of 1167 cases of peripheral lymphadenopathy (LAP) received in the Department of Pathology in Basrah Saddam Teaching Hospital (1980-1997) and from Al-Wiswasy Private Laboratory (1984-1997) in two different periods (1980-1989) and (1990-1997) was done. Tuberculous lymphadenitis was the commonest pathological lesion in both periods. It was responsible for 36.9% and 46.3% of the total cases respectively, with an 80% rise of cases per year in the 2nd period. Neoplastic LAP was responsible for 32.9% and 37.2% of the total cases in the two periods respectively, with 61% rise in the average number of cases per year in the 2nd period. In both periods, primary lymphoid tumours were more frequent than metastatic malignancy, with 106/74 cases in the 1st period and 141/90 cases in the 2nd period respectively with a ratio of 1.5:1 for both. Non-specific reactive hyperplasia and other inflammatory lesions account for 30.2% and 16.5% of peripheral LAP in the two periods respectively, with a 23% decrease in the average number of cases per year. The mean age, sex and site distribution of different pathological lesions were demonstrated. In all these varieties of peripheral LAP, males were affected more than females except in tuberculosis. Cervical lymph nodes were most frequently involved in both periods. A comparison of the results were made with similar studies.