Paediatric cervical lymphadenopathy: when to biopsy?

Chronic Generalized Lymphadenopathy in a Child—Progressive Transformation of Germinal Centers (PTGC)

Background: Enlarged lymph nodes are a common complaint in a Pediatrician’s office. Diagnosis of reactive lymphadenopathy secondary to infectious, inflammatory, immune dysregulation calls for clinical investigation, including a thorough history, physical exam, imaging, and less often, a biopsy of the lymph node. Here we discuss a rare presentation of extensive generalized, chronic, waxing, and waning lymphadenopathy diagnosed as Progressive Transformation of Germinal Centers (PTGC) and the course of illness over eight years follow up period. Discussion: Progressive Transformation of Germinal Centers (PTGC) is considered a benign condition, but extensive recurrent generalized lymphadenopathy in a very young child has not been reported before. This case demonstrates the importance of long-term follow-up and tailoring the diagnostic work-up and management based on new signs and symptoms. Here we focus on the clinical considerations and management of complex presentation of a common clinical finding.

Extraskeletal Ewing's Sarcoma Masquerading as Infantile Benign Neck Mass

Despite being the second most common malignant bone tumor, Ewing's sarcoma remains uncommon in younger children and seldom seen in neonates and infants. Extraskeletal locations are even rarer, hardly ever suspected, and often misdiagnosed, causing delays in management. The histologic similarities of Ewing's sarcoma to more common pediatric small-blue-round-cell tumors such as lymphoma and neuroblastoma necessitate immunohistochemistry and molecular genetics for clinching the diagnosis. We report a soft-tissue Ewing's sarcoma in a 4-month-old female infant masquerading as a benign neck mass clinically, radiologically, cytologically, and intraoperatively. We also reviewed literature for any existing guidelines on when to biopsy neck masses in the pediatric population.

The Predictive Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis in Patients with Asymptomatic Cervical Lymphadenopathy

In patients with asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy, the physician often has to choose between evaluation via follow-up or open biopsy. Follow-up evaluation may lead to a delayed diagnosis of lymphoma, while an open biopsy is associated with surgical risks and costs. This dilemma can be avoided using predictive parameters. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a parameter which can be assessed quickly with ease and at low cost, has predictive value for Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis in patients with asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy. A total of 46 patients with asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy who underwent open biopsy were included in the study. Based on the biopsy results, the patients were divided into two groups, Hodgkin lymphoma (26 patients) and reactive lymphadenopathy (20 patients). The mean NLR in the groups was calculated and compared based on the results of complete blood count performed before biopsy. We found that mean NLR (P = 0.022) and mean neutrophil count (P = 0.046) were higher and mean lymphocyte count was lower (P = 0.054) in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma compared to those in patients with reactive lymphadenopathy. Our results indicate that a high NLR may have predictive value for Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis in patients with asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in children: two case reports and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a rare, idiopathic and generally self-limiting cause of lymphadenitis of unknow etiology with a low recurrence rate. The typical clinical signs are cervical lymphadenopathy, fever, and symptoms of respiratory infection, and less frequently chills, night sweats, arthralgia, rash, and weight loss.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here we describe two case reports of Kikuchi Fujimoto disease presenting in Milan within the space of a few months. The first involved the recurrence of KFD in a young boy from Sri Lanka; the second was a rare case of severe KFD complicated by HLH.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatricians must consider KFD in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in children, even in western countries. Although rare, recurrence and severe complications are possible. Where symptoms suggest KFD, a systematic diagnostic approach is key. Since no guidelines on the management of KFD are available, further studies should be conducted to investigate the therapeutic options and long term outcome in children.

Level 5 Lymphadenopathy Warrants Heightened Suspicion for Clinically Significant Pathology

We conclude that patients presenting with level 5 lymphadenopathy should be investigated with heightened clinical vigilance. Our results suggest that up to 80 % will harbour clinically significant pathology requiring further medical treatment, three quarters of which will be malignancy. We report an observational study of histological outcomes of level 5 lymph node biopsies from a regional histopathology department across 5 years. 184 subjects were identified as having a biopsy of a lymph node from the level 5 region within the study period. One hundred and fifty six cases (84.8 %) had clinically significant pathology on final histology requiring further medical treatment. Lymphoma accounted for the highest number of cases (n = 72, 39.1 %), followed by metastatic carcinoma (n = 65, 35.3 %) and granulomatous change (n = 17, 9.2 %). Gender and laterality were not shown to be independent predictors of pathology significance (p > 0.05).

Cervical lymphadenopathy: study of 251 patients

Correct diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy is often a great challenge. The objective of this case study is to describe the distribution of the most common causes of unclear neck swellings presented in an ENT-Department and to evaluate the clinical history, examination and laboratory findings. In a retrospective study at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Homburg/Saar, 251 patients were enrolled with clinical and ultrasound signs of cervical lymphadenopathy as well as lymph node extirpation for histopathological evaluation. 127 patients (50.6 %) had a histological malignant finding. The distribution of the most common pathological conditions was as follows: Non-specific reactive hyperplasia n = 89 (35.5 %), metastases n = 86 (34.3 %), lymphoma n = 41 (16.3 %), granulomatous lesions n = 15 (6 %), abscess formations n = 5 (2 %), necrotic lymphadenitis and Castleman's disease one case of each, lymph node with normal architecture n = 7 (2.8 %), and neck masses mimicking lymphadenopathy n = 6 cases (2.4 %). The following factors identified by multivariate logistic regression were significantly associated to malignant lymphadenopathy: increasing age, generalized lymphadenopathy and history of malignant disorder, fixed neck masses and increasing diameter in ENT examination, bulky lesion, absence of hilus, blurred outer contour, protective role of the long form and decreasing Solbiati-index values by ultrasound B-Mode gray scale examination. Level II contained more benign lymphatic lesions, while the malignancy rate in level IV and V was enhanced. Laboratory parameters significantly associated to malignancies were CRP, LDH and thrombocytopenia. Patients with persisting cervical lymphadenopathy and over 3 weeks of antibiotic treatment should be considered for early biopsy, especially if some of the risk factors, pointed out in this study, are present.