Introduction: The goal of fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph node is essentially to distinguish benign from malignant lesions. Nonneoplastic disorders that can manifest in lymph nodes include those with specific diagnosis and nonspecific causes , reactive hyperplasia being the most common diagnosis. The role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is of paramount importance in determining the etiology of lymphadenopathy, so that appropriate management can be instituted. Aims and Objectives: To identify, to categorise and to study incidence of various
nonneoplastic lesion of lymphnodes. Materials and Methods: FNAC’S were done using a 22 guage needle with ten cc syringe for superficial lesions and lumbar puncture needle for deep seated lesions under ultrasound guidance. In this study patients were divided into three groups based on age i.e group 1 (0-20 years), group 2 (21-50 years) and group 3 (>50 years). Observation and Results: Out of 6411 FNAC cases during one and half years study, 1117 cases were enlarged lymphnodes . A major proportion of lymphadenopathies in this study were due to benign conditions 809 cases (72.42%). Malignant cases accounted for 308 cases (27.57%). Among 1117 cases, maximum number of cases were recorded in age group 2:480 cases. (42.97%), group 1: had 334 cases (29.90%) followed by group 3:303 cases (27.12%). Out of 809 nonneoplastic cases the most common cause of lymphadenopathy was found to be reactive lymphadenitis with 517 cases (63.91%), followed by tuberculosis with 241 cases (29.78%), and also seen were BCG lymphadenitis in 4 cases (00.49%). Conclusion: In our study we concluded that different etiological factors play a role in causation of lymphadenopathy. So FNAC provides a reliable, safe, rapid and economical method of screening these patients.

Keywords: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology; Reactive Lymphadenitis; Nonneoplastic Lymphadenopathy.