Peripheral lymphadenopathy in Nigeria

Abstract

A review was earned out on the histopathological diagnosis of peripheral lymph node biopsies processed and reported withina period of 18 years (1979-1996) in the Department of Pathology of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Ilonn Nigeria. A total of 751 cases from 468 male and 283 fc. lale patients within the age range of 1 year to 80 years ere reviewed. Non-neoplastic lesions made up 50.8% hik neoplastic lesions constituted 49.2%. Tuberculosis was m 4«TfXCSH KaUSe °f Per,Pheral lymphadenopathy hnl f°"°wed by metastatic lesions (19.3%). As a group cons,,!"t"d 28-2% and w^e made UP ^ .S, disease 12.6%, non-Hodgkin*s lymphoma including Burkitt's lymphoma 15.6% (with Burkttt's alone constitunng 3.3%). Few other infectious diseases found includad toxoplasmosis, histoplasmosis and onchocerciasis. 1nH spcclfi^ reactive and inflammatory changes (both acute ur0nlC) collec,lvely formed 17.6%.The primary sites of •'mP n°de metastases could not be determined in 36.6% of netastatic lesions while the breast was the origin in 13.8% and was the highest incidence of metastatis. The commonest vrnph node group affected was the cervical (42.6%) ollowed by inguinal (24.1%)