OBJECTIVE: To study the cytomorphologic patterns of Calmette Guerin bacillus (BCG) lymphadenitis and compare it to those of tuberculous lymphadenitis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cytomorphologic study of 136 cases of clinically diagnosed BCG adenitis. All fine needle aspiration smears of lymphadenitis in the age group 2 months to 2 years during a three-and-half-year period were analyzed. RESULTS: Three distinct cytomorphologic patterns were seen in 112 cases. They were acid-fast bacilli in a necrotic background (62), granulomas with necrosis (47) and granulomas in a reactive lymphoid background (3). CONCLUSION: The cytomorphologic patterns in BCG lymphadenitis were similar to those seen in tuberculous lymphadenitis; however, an exudative response and high acid-fast bacillus positivity was seen more frequently in BCG lymphadenitis. Moreover, Ziehl-Neelsen staining helped to distinguish these cases from pyogenic abscesses.
OBJECTIVE: To study the cytomorphologic patterns of Calmette Guerin bacillus (BCG) lymphadenitis and compare it to those of tuberculous lymphadenitis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cytomorphologic study of 136 cases of clinically diagnosed BCG adenitis. All fine needle aspiration smears of lymphadenitis in the age group 2 months to 2 years during a three-and-half-year period were analyzed. RESULTS: Three distinct cytomorphologic patterns were seen in 112 cases. They were acid-fast bacilli in a necrotic background (62), granulomas with necrosis (47) and granulomas in a reactive lymphoid background (3). CONCLUSION: The cytomorphologic patterns in BCG lymphadenitis were similar to those seen in tuberculous lymphadenitis; however, an exudative response and high acid-fast bacillus positivity was seen more frequently in BCG lymphadenitis. Moreover, Ziehl-Neelsen staining helped to distinguish these cases from pyogenic abscesses.