Year: 2026 | Month: April | Volume: 16 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 257-267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260432
Clinicopathological Presentation of Cervical Lymphadenopathy - A Cross-Sectional Study
Shreyanka M Doreswamy1, Raghavendra Prasad K U2, Ramitha T S3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, BGS MCH, Nagarur, Bangalore North, Adichunchanagiri University, Karnataka, India.
2Professor and Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Rajiv Gandhi University, Karnataka, India.
3ENT Consultant, Sakra IKOC, HSR Layout, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Corresponding Author: Shreyanka M Doreswamy
ABSTRACT
Background: Lymphadenopathy is a clinical sign characterised by abnormality in size, shape, consistency, or number of lymph nodes. The aetiology of cervical lymphadenopathy is varied and certainly different in different age groups. It is one of the most common presentations of various head and neck pathologies.
Objectives: To study and correlate the clinical presentation with pathological findings in patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. To assess the prevalence of cervical lymphadenopathy in relation to demographic data, and to report its association with various head and neck malignancies.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 236 patients presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy at the outpatient department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, from January 2021 to December 2021. Informed written consent was taken from the patients/attendees. Detailed history and clinical examination were performed. Necessary investigations include a complete blood count, ESR, chest X-ray, sputum testing, neck ultrasonography, FNAC/open biopsy, and CBNAAT. Data were analysed statistically.
Results: The majority of patients in our study were diagnosed with malignant lymphadenopathy (50.4%). Among the benign causes, reactive lymphadenitis was the most common (36.9%), followed by granulomatous lymphadenitis (12.7%). There was a 1.5:1 male-to-female ratio. The most common age groups affected were between 61 and 70 years and 51 and 60 years. Among the malignant causes, the most commonly involved primary sites were the oral cavity (13.6%), followed by the larynx (10.1%) and oropharynx (7.2%). Acid-fast bacilli and Cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) from the lymph node aspirate were positive in 10.5% and 29.4% of the cases.
Conclusion: Cervical lymphadenopathy is the most common presentation of various head and neck pathologies. CBNAAT is a highly sensitive tissue diagnostic test that can be included in suspected cases of tubercular lymphadenitis.
Key words: Cervical lymphadenopathy; Reactive lymphadenitis; Tubercular; Malignancy