Etiological Spectrum of Lymphadenopathy Among Children on Lymph Node Biopsy

Background Pediatric peripheral lymphadenopathy is commonly a benign condition and most cases resolve spontaneously; however, it can be a manifestation of a serious underlying disease. This study aimed to determine the etiological spectrum of persistent pediatric lymphadenopathy on excisional biopsy in a tertiary care children's hospital in a low-middle-income country and to make recommendations regarding evaluation, diagnostic testing, and surgical interventions best suited to the population. Methodology A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 243 pediatric patients between the ages of one to 12 years undergoing excisional biopsy for persistent lymphadenopathy (more than four weeks duration) from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024. Patient demographic data along with signs, symptoms, and results of investigations including histopathological diagnosis were documented on a structured proforma. Results Patients' age range was two to 12 years (mean = 7.29 ± 2.30 years). The male-to-female ratio was 1:53. The Mean duration of lymphadenopathy was 35.89 ± 6.95 days (range = 25 to 57 days). The average size of lymph nodes ranged from 1 cm to a complex nodal mass of 7 cm. Histopathology showed reactive hyperplasia (40.32%, n = 98), tuberculosis (TB) (33.7%, n = 82), lymphoma (10.3%, n = 25), atypical mycobacterial adenitis (6.99%, n = 17), chronic granulomatous inflammation-histiocytosis (6.2%, n = 15), and Langerhans cell histiocytosis (2.5%, n = 6). The most common site was cervical. Sputum GeneXpert for TB had a true-positive rate of 78.84% while PPD was positive in only 13 TB patients. Atypical mycobacterial adenitis was successfully treated with excision and antibiotics. Supraclavicular nodes were strongly associated with lymphoma (p = 0.008). Conclusions Persistent pediatric lymphadenopathy is most commonly caused by TB followed by lymphoma. Positive sputum GeneXpert for TB with a suggestive clinical picture in endemic regions may be sufficient to start empiric therapy without the need for excisional biopsy in mycobacterial TB adenitis with negative PPD results and normal chest X-ray. In all other cases, excisional biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. However, further studies should be conducted to formulate less invasive management algorithms.