Background: The aim  of  the  study  is  to  evaluate  the  cytomorphological  pattern  and frequency  of  pathological entities  and the role of Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of  peripheral  lymphadenopathies  at  a tertiary care center in kanchipuram during  the period of 18 months (January 2017 to June 2018).

Methods: This is a descriptive study including 150 patients who underwent FNAC evaluation of peripheral lymphadenopathy from the period of January 2017 to June 2018. The patients were analysed to determine the age and sex distribution, anatomical distribution and cytodiagnosis, distribution of cytomorphological patterns.

Results: Among 150 cases, reactive lymphadenitis was the most common cytomorphological pattern 76/150 (50.66%) followed by granulomatous lymphadenitis (56/150, 37.3%) as the second most common diagnosis. Female cases were more in this study (82, 54.7%) than male (68/150, 45.3%), Reactive lympadenitis was more frequent in males and granulomatous lymphadenitis in female patients. Metastatic deposit was common among male (>60 years). Out of 150 cases cervical lymphnodes (100/150, 66.6%) were most commonly involved, followed by supraclavicular (10.6%), axillary (9.3%), submandibular (6%), inguinal (4.6%) and post auricular (2.6%).

Conclusion: FNAC is a simple, minimally invasive, inexpensive and rapid diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. FNAC plays an important role in places where histopathological facilities are not available,in early diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions and also helps in planning  early  management of lymphadenopthies.

Keywords: Lymph node, Fine needle aspiration cytology, Morphological pattern.

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