Evaluation of Lymph Node Cytopathology Using Sydney Reporting System –A Cross-Sectional Study
Mushtturu Vaishnavi · African Journal of Biomedical Research · 2024
Introduction: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of lymph nodes is a rapid, inexpensive diagnostic tool in evaluating lymph node pathology, but it lacks uniform reporting system. To overcome this, a standardized Sydney system for reporting of lymph node cytology was proposed by an expert panel in 2020. Aim and objectives: The present study evaluates the accuracy and diagnostic utility of Sydney system reporting guidelines for lymph node cytology Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the department of pathology of a tertiary care centre for a period of 6 months. The study was approved by the Institutional Scientific and Ethics committee. (Lr No: 239/2024). A total of 153 lymph node cytology cases were evaluated and categorized according to Sydney system and further compared with their histopathologic diagnosis and/or clinical follow-up data. Risk of malignancy (ROM) was calculated within each diagnostic category. Results: Out of 153 Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) cases, n=7 cases (4.6%) were categorized as L1-Inadequate; n=111 (72.5%) as L2-Benign; n=2 (1.3%) as L3-Atypical cells of undetermined significance; n=8 (5.3%) as L4-Suspicious for malignancy and n=21 (16.3%) as L5-Malignant. The ROM was 100% in L3, L4 & L5 categories and 1.1% in L2 category. Conclusion: The Sydney system helps to improve diagnostic accuracy in lymph node FNAC cases and facilitate better communication between cytopathologists and clinicians by creating uniformity and reproducibility of the lymph node FNAC reports.