FNAC of lymph nodes in HIV positive patients—a diagnostic boon

Abstract

The goal of this study is to examine the fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) features of lymph node lesions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and to evaluate the role of FNAC in diagnosis. This study also aims to analyze the cytological patterns and available clinicopathological parameters of FNAC. This study was carried out in the Department of Pathology at Government Medical College Miraj and P.V.P.G.H. Sangli from August 2012 to July 2014. FNAC was conducted for all HIV-positive patients with lymphadenopathy referred into this department. A total 70 lymph nodes were aspirated from different sites in 60 HIV-positive cases. The mean age of presentation was 32.4 years with a male predominance (66.7%). The cervical lymph node was the most commonly involved site (70%). The most common lesion was tuberculous lymphadenitis (66.66%) followed by reactive lymphadenitis (13.33%). The most common staining pattern in acid fast bacilli (AFB)-positive tuberculous lymphadenitis was grade 1 (87.88%). The overall AFB positivity in tuberculous lymphadenitis in the present study was 82.5%. The most common cytological pattern was caseous necrosis with epithelioid cell granulomas (60%). The mean CD4 count showed an inverse relationship with increasing grade of AFB positivity. The mean CD4 count was lowest in caseous necrosis-only pattern (330.2 cells/μL). All the cases were consistent with HIV type A lymphadenopathy. Two cases of malignancy was also seen. FNAC is a rapid and cheap procedure that can help in establishing the diagnosis in a large number of cases. It also helps in segregating the lesions that need further evaluation. Comparison of lymph node lesions with CD4 counts, AFB grading, and hematological alterations reflects immunity, stage of disease, and disease activity, thus aiding in better treatment.