This document summarizes a study on cervical lymph node enlargement. It analyzed 70 patients with enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Tuberculosis was found to be the most common cause, affecting females more than males. Lymph node enlargement was most common in patients under 40 years old. Histopathological examination was required for accurate diagnosis. The upper cervical lymph nodes were most frequently involved. The study concluded that tuberculosis was a major factor for cervical lymphadenopathy in younger patients, while secondary cancers were more common in older patients above 50 years old.

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ISSN Print: 2278 – 2648 IJRPP |Vol 3 | Issue 1 | Jan-Mar-2014
ISSN Online: 2278-2656 Journal Home page: www.ijrpp.com
Research article Open Access
Cervical lymph Node Enlargement
N.Junior Sundresh*1
, S.Narendran2
.
1
Reader in surgery, Department of surgery, RMMCH, Annamalai university, Chidambaram,
T.N., India.
2
Emerutus Prof. of surgery, Department of surgery, RMMCH, Annamalai university,
Chidambaram, T.N., India.
* Corresponding author: N.JuniorSundresh,
E-mail id: juniorsundresh@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Cervical lymph nodes are enlarged in almost all neck and head pathologies. Tuberculosis was the major cause for
cervical lymphadenopathy. Pathological examination was also mandatory. Lymph node enlargement is seen in
almost all disease and may be due localized pathology or a part of generalized disease. The cervical lymph nodes is
more common and may be due to a head and neck disease or a manifestation from a distant organ because of this,
clinical investigations like biopsy and details about the lymphatic drainage of the area are the main perquisites for a
correct diagnosis.
Key Words: Cervical lymph nodes, cervical lymphadenitis, cervical lymphadenopathy.
INTRODUCTION
Lymph node enlargement is seen in almost all disease
and may be due localized pathology or a part of
generalized disease.1-6
The cervical lymph nodes is
more common and may be due to a head and neck
disease or a manifestation from a distant organ
because of this, clinical investigations like biopsy and
details about the lymphatic drainage of the area are
the main perquisites for a correct diagnosis. 7-11
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted during august 2011 – July
2013 in 70 patients with cervical lymph node
enlargement are selected. The patients with age 13
and above, cervical lymphadenitis patients who were
not responding to antibiotic treatment were induced
in the study. the patients with any one or combination
of following symptoms swelling in the neck, pain,
pyrexia, sinus with discharge, chronic cough,
generalized weakness, headed scar, dyspnoea,
dysphasia, loss of weight appetite and any other
swelling are included general clinical examination
was also made.12-18
OBSERVATION AND RESULTS
The study is based on 70 patients with cervical
lymphadenopathy. Cervical lymphadenopathy most
commonly occurred below 40 years and tuberculosis
International Journal of Research in
Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics

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is the most common cause of cervical lymphadenitis.
Tuberculosis affect more commonly the females in
the study. It is found that Tuberculosis cervical
lymphadenitis is commonly affects the younger and
middle age group. Hodgkins’ disease cervical
lymphadentis affect more commonly the females.
Non-hodgbin’s lymphoma affect more commonly the
male secondaries affect more commonly the male and
also affect more commonly the middle age group.
Upper cervical lymphnode is more commonly
involved. Non-specific lymphadenitis affect more
commonly the male and affect more commonly the
younger age group.
Table 1.Sex wise incidence
Sex No. of Patients affected %
Male 32 45.7 %
Female 38 54.3 %
Total No. of cases = 70
Fig 1. Sex wise incidence
Table 2. Age wise incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy
Age group No. of Patients affected %
13 – 22 20 28.5 %
23 – 32 18 25.7 %
33 – 42 20 28.5 %
43 – 52 5 6.25 %
53 and above 7 8.75 %
32
38
No. of Patients affected
Male
Female

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Fig 2. Age wise incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy
Table 3. Disease wise incidence of cervical lymphadopahty
Disease No. of Patients affected %
Tuberculosis 41 58.5
Hodgkin’s disease 2 2.85
Non-Hodgkin’s disease 1 1.42
Secondary’s 8 11.4
Non-specific lymphadentis 18 24
Fig 3. Disease wise incidence of cervical lymphadopahty
0
5
10
15
20
25
13 – 22 23 – 32 33 – 42 43 – 52 53 and
above
Age wise incidence of cervical
lymphadenopathy
No. of Patients affected
41
2
1
8
0
Disease wise incidence of cervical
lymphadopahty
Tuberculosis
Hodgkin’s disease
Non-Hodgkin’s disease
Secondary’s
Non-specific lymphadentis

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Table 4. Sex wise incidence of tuberculosis
Sex No. of Patients affected %
Male 15 36.5 %
Female 26 63.5 %
Total No. of cases = 41
Fig 4. Sex wise incidence of tuberculosis
Total No. of cases = 41
Table 5. Age wise distribution of tuberculosis
Age group No. of Patients affected %
13 – 22 13 31%
23 – 32 12 29.26%
33 – 42 12 29.26%
43 – 52 3 7.31%
53 and above 1 2.43%
Total No. of cases = 41
15
26
Sex wise incidence of tuberculosis
total
Male
Female

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Fig 5. Age wise distribution of tuberculosis
Total No. of cases = 41
Table 6. Lymph node groups involved in tuberculosis
Lymphnode group No. of Patients affected %
Submandibular 1 2.43%
Upper cervical 27 65.8
Middle cervical 1 2.43%
Power cervical 9 21.9
Posterior cervical 2 4.8
Multiple nodes 1 2.43%
No. of cases = 41
Fig 6. Lymph node groups involved in tuberculosis
1
27
1
9
2 1 Lymphnode group
Submandibular
Upper cervical
Middle cervical
Power cervical
Posterior cervical
Multiple nodes
0
5
10
15
13 – 22 23 – 32 33 – 42 43 – 52 53 and
above
Age wise distribution of
tuberculosis
No. of Patients
affected

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Table 7. Sex wise incidence of tuberculosis total
Sex No. of Patients affected %
Male 1 3.33 %
Female 2 66.66 %
No. of cases 3
Fig 7. Sex wise incidence of tuberculosis total
Table 7.Sex wise incidence in non Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Sex No. of cases %
Male 1 100 %
Female 0 -
No. of cases 1
Table 8.Age wise incidence in secondaries
Age No. of Patients affected %
13 – 22 0 -
23 – 32 1 12.56 %
33 – 42 2 25 %
43 – 52 1 12.56 %
53 and above 4 50 %
Total No. of cases = 8
Sex wise incidence of tuberculosis
total
Male
Female

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Table 9.Sex wise incidence in non-specific lymphadentis
Total No. of cases = 18
Table 9. Age wise incidence in non-specific lymphadentis
Age No. of Patients affected %
13 – 22 8 44.44%
23 – 32 4 22.22%
33 – 42 4 22.22%
43 – 52 1 5.55%
53 and above 1 5.55%
Total No. of cases = 18
CONCLUSION
Out of 70 patients, women were found to he affected
more than men and tuberculosis was the commitment
cause of cervical lymphadenopathy Tuberculosis was
found to be the common causative factor in age group
below 22 years and secondary’s was common in 50-
60 age group. Also revealed that histopathological
examination is mandatory in accurate diagnosis of
cervical lymphadenitis.
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