title: Fine needle aspiration cytology for lymph nodes: a three-year study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The cytologic patterns of lymph node fine needle aspirations (FNAs) exhibit a wide variation in different diseases and in different ethnic groups in various geographical locations. Knowledge of lymphadenopathy patterns in a given geographical region is essential for making a confident diagnosis of suspected disease in that location. In the present study, we assessed the cytologic patterns of lymph node aspirations in patients in the Huangdao region of China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three-year retrospective study design was conducted on FNA cytology samples from the lymph nodes of patients in our hospital between January 2011 and December 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2136 lymph nodes were aspirated during the study period. Cytologic analysis of the lymph nodes revealed the following: malignancy, 53.6%; chronic non-specific lymphadenitis, 15.2%; reactive lymph node, 7.5%; pyogenic abscess, 2.9%; tuberculosis lymphadenitis, 8.7%; Hodgkin lymphoma, 4.8%; and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 7.16%. The 30-50 year age group was the most affected age group, while lymphadenopathy in the >60 year age group was less frequent. Cervical lymph nodes were the most frequent site for lymphadenopathy in women (31.4%, p < 0.001) and men (49.1%, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lymphadenopathy is associated with a wide range of disorders; however, metastatic lymph nodes of malignancies are the most common cause for enlarged lymph nodes.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Hematology , People's Hospital of Rizhao , Shandong , China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: b Department of Imaging , The 1st People Hospital of Jinan , Jinan , China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: b Department of Imaging , The 1st People Hospital of Jinan , Jinan , China.
authors.forename: Lianying
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pathology , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Huangdao , China.
authors.forename: Fengyun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: d Department of Ultrasound , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Huangdao , China.
authors.forename: Xishuang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: d Department of Ultrasound , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Huangdao , China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: e Department of Thyroid Surgery , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Huangdao , China.
authors.forename: Kejun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: e Department of Thyroid Surgery , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Huangdao , China.
authors.forename: Anbing
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Fine needle aspiration cytology; lymph node aspiration; retrospective study