Publication:

Common sites and causes of chronic cervical lymphadenopathy among a sample of Iraqi patients

Background Chronic cervical lymphadenopathy may result from a variety of different underlying diseases. It could be a sign of inflammation, metastatic tumor or lymphoma.

Methods This is a prospective study of 60 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy who attended Al Karama Teaching Hospital for the period (1/12/2008 to 1/2/2010). Data includes their demographic information, clinical presentation, investigations and histopathological results.

Results Twenty six patients were males (43.3%) and 34 were females (56.7%). The male to female ratio was 1:1.3. Age distribution had shown that the highest incidence occurred in those between (11-20) years old (15 patients, 25%), followed by those between (1-10) years old. The mean age was 31.2±21.5 SD. The most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy was reactive hyperplasia (23 patients, 38.3%) followed by Tuberculous lymphadenopathy (15patients, 25%). Lymphomas (13 patients, 21.7%) and metastatic deposits (7 patients, 11.7%).

Conclusions The most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy was reactive hyperplasia followed by tuberculous lymphadenopathy. Tuberculous lymphadenopathy continues to be a major health problem, and this may be explained by situation in this country in the last few decades that affected the socio-economic, health care and the living standard of population.