Introduction: The causes of superficial lymphadenopathy are diverse and
their prognosis is often unknown. The diagnosis of superficial lymphadenopathy
remains a challenge because, alone, its clinical picture doesn’t allow differentiating between an infectious disease and a
non-transmissible disease. The aim of this study is to describe
epidemiological, clinical and pathologic aspects of superficial lymphadenopathy
observed in the internal medicine department at the University of Lubumbashi
Clinics (DR Congo). Patients, Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive and
transversal study on superficial lymphadenopathy observed over a period of 24
months from November 2013 to October 2015 at the University of Lubumbashi
Clinics. Parameters studied were gender, age, clinical particular of superficial
lymphadenopathy and associated patient clinical signs and pathology of these
lymph nodes biopsy. Results: 36 patients’ data were identified with a sex ratio
M/F = 1.76 and a mean age of 42.47 ± 15.64 years. 75% of patients had lymph
nodes tumefaction as the main complaint during consultation and 61.1% had a
poor general condition marked by fever. 27.8% were HIV positive and cervical
lymphadenopathy was the most frequent. As for the pathologic diagnosis, non-Hodgkin
lymphoma was the most frequent diagnosis (47.2%) followed by reactive
hyperplasia (27.8%) and infectious lymphadenopathy (19.4%). Conclusion: The
most frequent cause of lymphadenopathy in our study was non-Hodgkin lymphoma
(47.2%) followed by lymph nodes reactive hyperplasia (27.8%) and infectious
lymphadenitis. Lymph nodes biopsy plays an important role in confirming
superficial lymphadenopathy diagnosis. It should be the basic procedure to
diagnose extra pulmonary tuberculosis in the DRC National Program against TB.
Cite this paper
Kakisingi, C. , Mukuku, O. , Manika, M. , Kashal, M. , Kyabu, V. , Kasamba, E. , Tshikuluila, B. and Mwamba, C. (2016). Peripheral Lymphadenopathy: A Descriptive Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Lubumbashi (D.R.C). Open Access Library Journal, 3, e2771. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1102771.
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