Lymphadenopathy other diagnostic studies

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]

Other Diagnostic Studies

Indications for a lymph node biopsy include:

• Swollen glands that do not go away even after the infection has subsided
• Presence of lymph nodes on a CT or MRI scan
• Spread of breast cancer or melanoma (sentinel lymph node biopsy)

Micrograph of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy, a type of lymphadenopathy. H&E stain

Three types of biopsy methods can be used to diagnose swollen lymph nodes. They are:

• Fine needle aspiration cytology- thin needle is used to take samples from the lymph node. Usually used for recurrent cancers. Lacks information about tissue architecture. False positives are common.
• Core needle biopsy- a specialized needle is used to take a sample of tissue from the lymph node. Provides some detail about architecture. Tissue sample can be used for other special studies.
• Open biopsy- best diagnostic biopsy method, because the tissue taken is intact and will provide finer details about the presence of abnormal cells and structure of the lymph node. Performed under local anesthesia.