Outcome of Surgical Management in Cervical Lymphadenopathy - A Prospective Study at Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, Sialkot

Abstract

Aim: To assess the etiology and management of cervical lymphadenopathy in patients presenting to surgical department of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot Study Design: Prospective study. Place & duration of study: Department of General Surgery Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot from January 2016 to April 2018. Methods: All patients presenting to surgical out patients department (OPD) were serially included during the study period. The data of all patients were recorded inclusive of history, physical examination, investigations and treatment given. Two groups were made, the Group I – outdoor patients; who were investigated and treated in OPD only and they did not require admissions for any investigation or surgical procedure. Results: Patients enrolled in our study were 987,out of which 103 patients were excluded due to lack of follow-up & 884 remained in the study, their age was between 2-67 years ( with mean 39+-11 years), M:F ratio was 1:19, 395 patients were malnourished, 178 were smokers, 156 were diabetics & 207 were hypertensive , Group-I consisted of outdoor patients who were 712 and Group-II included admitted patients who were 172 in number. In Group I, 41% patients had single node in neck,72% had multiple nodes in neck & 7% had associated lymph nodes on other sites of body,69% patients also developed fever,87% lost their weight & 17% got discharge, all patients(100%) had an USG and X-rays of cervical spine, FNAC was done in 43% & excision biopsy under LA was done in 76% of patients Conclusion: Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common presentation in the surgical OPD. Most of the patients are malnourished; amongst them the majority belong to less than 12 years of age. FNAC, Biopsy and excision is required for a definite histopathological diagnosis. Treatment is according to the cause.