Introduction: Lymph node enlargement results due to proliferation of one or more components of the lymph node as a natural immune response to different antigens. Lymphadenopathy, whether localized or generalized, superficial or visceral, is a common finding in patients. Excision biopsy is the procedure of choice because histological diagnosis depends upon the change in the lymph node architectural pattern as well as the morphological details of the individual cells. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the etiology of lymphadenopathy in relation to age and sex and the pattern of histological diagnosis in lymph node biopsy specimens in the department of histopathology in our centre. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study of lymph node biopsies was conducted in the department of histopathology over a period of one year from January to December 2016. A total of 49 lymph node biopsies were taken into consideration. All biopsies were fixed in 10% formalin for 24 hours and later 3-4 micron thick sections were made from the blocks and staines with Hand E stain.Wherever necessary, AFB staining and immunohistochemistry was performed to aid in the diagnosis. Results: A total of 49 lymph node specimens were received from January 2016 to December 2016 . There were 17 (34.7%) males and 32 (65.3%) females. Cervical lymph nodes were the most commonly biopsied group (65.3%), non-neoplastic lesions were more common comprising 47out of 49 ( 95.9%). TB was the most common cause of lymphadenopathy and accounts for 59.18% of all lesions. Conclusion: Biopsy of the enlarged lymph nodes plays a major role in arriving at a correct etiological diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. Non neeoplastic causes like Tuberculosis with a female preponderance and cervical region was the commonest site affected in our study.

Keywords: Lymphadenopathy; Tuberculosis; Reactive Hyperplasia.