Peripheral lymphadenopathy in Nigeria.

An analysis of 176 diagnostic peripheral lymph node biopsies performed at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, was carried out with a view to determining the diseases that commonly present with this symptom, and their clinical correlates. Of the conditions which theoretically could present with persistent peripheral lymphadenopathy, only a few were encountered in large numbers, namely, tuberculosis, Hodgkin's disease and secondary tumours. Metastatic tumours occur mostly above the age of 20 years. Small numbers of acute and chronic inflammation are also encountered. The largest group of findings were nonspecific reactive alterations. Regional lymphadenopathy is the rule, cervical lymph nodes are the most frequently enlarged and most frequently biopsied. The frequency of pathological changes and diseases varies with the biopsy site. In generalized lymphadenopathy the most likely diagnoses are probably tuberculosis and Hodgkin's disease.