Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of cervical lymph nodes in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis

J Clin Ultrasound. 2017 May;45(4):192-196. doi: 10.1002/jcu.22431. Epub 2016 Nov 22.

Abstract

Background: Our study investigates whether the histopathological features of toxoplasmic lymphadenitis (TL), specifically noncaseating microgranuloma and follicular hyperplasia, can be obtained by sonographic-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) of cervical lymph nodes.

Methods: Thirty-two patients seen from June 2014 to March 2015 were positive for toxoplasma immunoglobulin M antibody. Among those patients, 21 underwent CNB of a cervical lymph node and were enrolled in this study. The pathologic findings were reviewed.

Results: Twenty-nine lymph nodes in 21 patients were sampled. Eighteen of the 21 (86%) patients had a microgranuloma without caseating necrosis or giant cells, and all 21 (100%) patients had follicular hyperplasia.

Conclusions: The histologic findings of TL were detected by sonographic-guided CNB, which can be used as part of the first line of investigation in patients with unexplained cervical adenopathy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:192-196, 2017.

Keywords: core needle biopsy; lymphadenopathy; toxoplasmosis; ultrasound.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Large-Core Needle
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image-Guided Biopsy / methods
  • Lymph Nodes / parasitology*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Lymphatic Diseases / parasitology
  • Lymphatic Diseases / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis / pathology
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods*
  • Young Adult