Lymph node infarction and its association with lymphoma: a short series and literature review

Lymph node infarction is an extremely rare phenomenon. An infarcted lymph node can proceed, or occur simultaneously with, lymphoma. In the present study we review the literature on lymph node infarction and describe our experience of such cases.

Six cases of lymph nodes with a diagnosis of lymph node infarction were archived from the records of the Pathology Department. Clinical information of the patients was obtained from the case records. Haematoxylin andeosin stained sections were reviewed.

A diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was made in 5 of the 6 patients. The diagnosis was made concurrent to the lymph node infarction in 2 cases while in 3 cases the diagnosis was made on subsequent follow up biopsies. The aetiology of lymph node infarction could not be established in one case.

The pathologist should be cautious when examining an infarcted lymph node. Though all patients might not develop lymphoma, they require a close follow-up and repeat biopsies to detect the subsequent development of lymphoma.