Fine needle aspiration cytology in systemic lupus erythematosus lymphadenopathy. A case report.

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology characterized by inflammation in various organ systems, including lymph nodes, due to the production of antinuclear antibodies. The onset of disease is between ages 13 and 40 years, with a female preponderance.

CASE

A 30-year-old female presented with right cervical lymphadenopathy and gave a history of intermittent fever and swollen joints of 2.5 years' duration. The patient was on intermittent corticosteroids. With a suggestion of tuberculous lymphadenitis, the patient underwent fine needle aspiration (FNA). The diagnosis of lupus adenopathy was established by FNA of enlarged right cervical lymph nodes. Smears showed predominantly typical and atypical immunoblasts, plasma cells, occasional Reed-Sternberg-like cells and dispersed hematoxylin bodies. Smears were negative for acid-fast bacilli.

CONCLUSION

When SLE patients develop lymphadenopathy, FNA cytology helps differentiate lupus adenopathy from infectious conditions, such as tuberculous adenitis, and from Kikuchi's lymphadenitis.