Diagnosis of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis Based on the Fine Needle Aspiration Samples Analysis

Abstract

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is one of the most common extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis. The most common lymph nodes involved are in the cervical region. Lymphadenitis due to M. tuberculosis generally presents with enlarging neck lymph nodes over weeks or months associated with fever, weight loss and fatigue. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of affected lymph nodes has been shown to yield a high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis. Specimens should be examined cytologically, as well as by AFB smear and cultures. The time between the onset of symptoms, clinical presentation and final diagnosis is often too long. We present a case of 60 years old man with tuberculous lymphadenitis, initially suspected of lymphoproliferative disease.