Difference between revisions of "Lymph node pathology"

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This article deals with '''lymph node pathology'''.  An introduction to the lymph node is in the ''[[lymph nodes]]'' article.
This article deals with non-haematologic malignant, i.e. metastases, and non-malignant '''lymph node pathology'''.  An introduction to the lymph node is in the ''[[lymph nodes]]'' article.


==Progressive transformation of germinal centers==
Haematologic malignancies (in lymph nodes) are dealt with in other articles - see ''[[haematopathology]]'' and ''[[lymphoma]]''.
===General===
 
*Abbreviated as ''PTGC''.
==Overview==
*Benign.
Clinical:
*Classically in younger patients.
*Lymphadenopathy.
*Associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma - non-classic type (nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma).
 
Differential diagnosis:<ref>URL: [http://path.upmc.edu/cases/case289.html http://path.upmc.edu/cases/case289.html]. Accessed on: 14 January 2012.</ref>
*Infectious - fungal, mycobacterial, viral, protozoal (Toxoplasma), bacterial (Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Bartonella)).
*Neoplastic - lymphoma, carcinoma.
*Endocrine - [[hyperthyroidism]].
*Trauma.  
*Autoimmune - [[SLE]], [[RA]], [[dermatomyositis]].
*Inflammatory - drugs (phenytoin).
*Idiopathic - [[sarcoidosis]].
 
==Overview in a table==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Entity
! Key feature
! Other findings
! IHC
! DDx
! Image
|-
| Non-specific reactive follicular hyperplasia (NSRFH)
| large spaced cortical follicles
| tingible body macrophages, normal dark/light GC pattern
| BCL2 -ve
| infection ([[Toxoplasmosis]], [[HIV]]/AIDS), [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]]
| image ?
|-
| [[Lymph node metastasis]]
| foreign cell population, usu. in subcapsular sinuses 
| +/-nuclear atypia, +/-malignant architecture
| dependent on tumour type (see ''[[IHC]]'')
| dependent on morphology, [[endometriosis]] (mimics adenocarcinoma), ectopic decidua (mimics [[SCC]])
| [[Image:Crc_met_to_node1.jpg|thumb|center|125px| CRC metastasis]] [[Image:Breast_carcinoma_in_a_lymph_node.jpg|thumb|center|125px | Breast metastasis]]
|-
| [[Progressive transformation of germinal centers]]
| large (atypical) germinal centers
| poorly demarcated germinal center (GC)/mantle zone interfaces, expanded mantle zone
| IHC to r/o ''nodular lymphocyte predominant [[Hodgkin lymphoma]]'' (NLPHL)
| NLPHL, follicular hyperplasia
| [[Image:Progressive transformation_of_germinal_centres_-1-_very_low_mag.jpg|thumb|center|150px | PTGC - very low mag.]]
|-
| [[Toxoplasmosis]]
| large follicles; epithelioid cells perifollicular & intrafollicular
| reactive GCs, monocytoid cell clusters, epithelioid cells
| IHC  for toxoplasma
| NSRFH, HIV/AIDS, [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]]
| [[Image:Toxoplasmosis_lymphadenopathy_-_low_mag.jpg|thumb|center|150px | TL - low mag.]]
|-
| [[Kikuchi disease]] (histiocystic necrotizing lymphadenitis)
| No PMNs
| histiocytes, [[necrosis]]
| IHC for large cell lymphoma (CD30 + others)
| [[SLE]] (has (blue) hematoxylin bodies in necrotic areas), large cell lymphomas
| [[Image:Histiocytic_necrotizing_lymphadenitis_-_very_high_mag.jpg |thumb|center|150px| HNL - very high mag.]]
|-
| [[Cat-scratch disease]]
| PMNs in necrotic area
| "stellate" (or serpentine) shaped microabscesses, granulomas
| B. henselae, [[Dieterle stain]]
| [[HIV]]/AIDS, NSRFH
| [[Image:Cat_scratch_disease_-_very_low_mag.jpg|thumb|center|150px|Cat scratch - very low mag.]]
|-
| [[Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy]]
| melanin-laden histiocytes
| [[histiocytosis]]
| [[S-100]]+ve (interdigitating dendritic cells), CD1a+ve (Langerhans cells)
| [[cutaneous T-cell lymphoma]]
| [[Image:Dermatopathic_lymphadenopathy_-_intermed_mag.jpg |thumb|center|150px| DL - intermed. mag.]]
|-
| [[Kimura disease]]
| eosinophils
| angiolymphoid proliferation (thick-walled blood vessels with [[hobnail]] endothelial cells)
| IHC ?
| [[Langerhans cell histiocytosis]], drug reaction, [[angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia]]
| [[Image:Kimura_disease_-_very_high_mag.jpg|thumb|center|150px|Kimura disease - very high mag.]]
|-
| [[Langerhans cell histiocytosis]]
| abundant histiocytes with reniform nuclei
| often prominent eosinophilia
| [[S-100]]+, CD1a+
| [[Kimura disease]] (eosinophilia), [[Rosai-Dorfman disease]]
| [[Image:Langerhans_cell_histiocytosis_-_very_high_mag.jpg|thumb|center|150px|LCH - very high mag.]]
|-
| [[Rosai-Dorfman disease]]
| sinus histiocytosis
| emperipolesis (intact cell within a macrophage)
| [[S-100]]+, CD1a-
| Langerhans cell histiocytosis
| [[Image:Emperipolesis_-_very_high_mag.jpg |thumb|center|150px | RDD - very high mag.]]
|-
| [[Systemic lupus erythematosus]] lymphadenopathy
| (blue) hematoxylin bodies
| necrosis, no PMNs
| IHC for large cell lymphoma (CD30 + others)
| [[Kikuchi disease]], large cell [[lymphoma]]s
| [[Image:Systemic_lupus_erythematosus_lymphadenopathy_-_high_mag.jpg|thumb|center|150px | SLEL - high mag.]]
|-
| [[Castleman disease]], hyaline vascular variant
| thick mantle cell layer with laminar appearance ("onion skin" layering)
| hyaline (pink crap), lollipops (large vessels into GC), no mitoses in GC
| IHC - to r/o [[mantle cell lymphoma]]
| mantle cell lymphoma, [[HIV]]/AIDS
| [[Image:Castleman_disease_-_intermed_mag.jpg|thumb|center|150px | CD - intermed. mag.]]
|-
| Castleman disease, plasma cell variant
| thick mantle cell layer
| sinus perserved, interfollicular plasma cells, mitoses in GC
| [[HHV-8]]
| HIV/AIDS
| image ?
|-
| [[Intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma]]
| spindle cells with nuclear palisading
| [[RBC extravasation]], fibrillary bodies with a central vessel "amianthoid fibers"
| SMA+, cyclin D1+
| [[schwannoma]]
| [[Image:Intranodal_palisaded_myofibroblastoma_-_very_high_mag.jpg|thumb|center|150px|IPM - very high mag.]]
|-
<!-- | entity
| key feature
| other features
| IHC
| DDx
| image -->
|}
 
===Follicular lymphoma vs. reactive follicular hyperplasia===
Factors to consider:<ref>DB. 4 August 2010.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!
! Reactive follicular <br>hyperplasia
! Follicular lymphoma
|-
| Follicle location
| cortex
| cortex and medulla
|-
| Germinal center edge
| sharp/well-demarcated
| poorly demarcated
|-
| Germinal center density
| well spaced, sinuses open
| crowded, sinuses effaced/<br>compressed to nothingness
|-
| Tingible body <br>macrophages
| common
| uncommon
|-
| Germinal center<br>light/dark pattern
| normal
| abnormal
|}


===Microscopic===
==Lymph node metastasis==
Features:
{{Main|Lymph node metastasis}}
*Large germinal centers - focally.
**No mass lesions.


==Reactive follicular hyperplasia==
==Kaposi sarcoma==
===General===
{{Main|Kaposi sarcoma}}
*Many causes - including: bacteria, viruses, chemicals, drugs, allergens.
*One of the few non-lymphoid primary lymph node tumours.<ref name=pmid1918406>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Bigotti | first1 = G. | last2 = Coli | first2 = A. | last3 = Mottolese | first3 = M. | last4 = Di Filippo | first4 = F. | title = Selective location of palisaded myofibroblastoma with amianthoid fibres. | journal = J Clin Pathol | volume = 44 | issue = 9 | pages = 761-4 | month = Sep | year = 1991 | doi =  | PMID = 1918406 | PMC = 496726 }}</ref>
**In only approximately 10% can definitive cause be identified.<ref name=Ref_ILNP174>{{Ref_ILNP|174}}</ref>


===Microscopic===
==Melanocytic nevi==
Features:<ref name=Ref_ILNP179>{{Ref_ILNP|179}}</ref>
{{Main|Melanocytic lesions}}
*Enlarged follicles, follicle size variation - '''key feature''' with:
:See: ''[[Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy]]''.
**Large germinal centers (pale on H&E).
*Benign melanocytic nevi can be found in lymph nodes.<ref name=pmid1918406>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Bigotti | first1 = G. | last2 = Coli | first2 = A. | last3 = Mottolese | first3 = M. | last4 = Di Filippo | first4 = F. | title = Selective location of palisaded myofibroblastoma with amianthoid fibres. | journal = J Clin Pathol | volume = 44 | issue = 9 | pages = 761-4 | month = Sep | year = 1991 | doi =  | PMID = 1918406 | PMC = 496726 }}</ref>
***Mitoses common.
***Variable lymphocyte morphology.
***Tingible-body macrophage (large, pale cells with junk in the cytoplasm).
**Rim of small (inactive) lymphocytes.


IHC:
==Progressive transformation of germinal centers==
*BCL-2 -ve.
{{Main|Progressive transformation of germinal centers}}
*Abbreviated as ''PTGC''.


Image: [http://pleiad.umdnj.edu/hemepath/normal_node/normal_node.html Normal lymph node (umdnj.edu)].
==Reactive follicular hyperplasia==
{{Main|Reactive follicular hyperplasia}}


==Diffuse paracortical hyperplasia==
==Diffuse paracortical hyperplasia==
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==Sinus histiocytosis==
==Sinus histiocytosis==
===General===
:Should '''not''' be confused with ''[[sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy]]'', also known as Rosai-Dorfman disease.
*Benign.
{{Main|Sinus histiocytosis}}
 
===Microscopic===
Features:<ref name=Ref_ILNP179>{{Ref_ILNP|179}}</ref>
*Sinuses distended with histiocytes - '''key feature'''.
*Plasma cells increased.


==Kikuchi disease==
==Kikuchi disease==
===General===
*[[AKA]] ''histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis'' (HNL).<ref name="pmid15570824">{{cite journal |author=Kaushik V, Malik TH, Bishop PW, Jones PH |title=Histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease): a rare cause of cervical lymphadenopathy |journal=Surgeon |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=179–82 |year=2004 |month=June |pmid=15570824 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
*AKA ''histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis'' (HNL),<ref name="pmid15570824">{{cite journal |author=Kaushik V, Malik TH, Bishop PW, Jones PH |title=Histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease): a rare cause of cervical lymphadenopathy |journal=Surgeon |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=179–82 |year=2004 |month=June |pmid=15570824 |doi= |url=}}</ref> and ''Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease''.
*[[AKA]] ''Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease''.
*Rare disease that may mimic cancer, esp. lymphoma.
{{Main|Kikuchi disease}}
**May cause fever & systemic symptoms.<ref name=pmid20121621>{{cite journal |author=Hutchinson CB, Wang E |title=Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease |journal=Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. |volume=134 |issue=2 |pages=289–93 |year=2010 |month=February |pmid=20121621 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
 
Epidemiology:<ref name=pmid20121621/>
*Usually <40 years old.
*Asian.
*Female:Male = 3:1.<ref>URL: [http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/210752-overview http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/210752-overview]. Accessed on: 3 June 2010.</ref>
 
Treatment:
*Usually self-limited.<ref name=pmid20121621/>
*Oral corticosteroids.
 
DDx:
*Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
*Systemic lupus erythematosus.


===Micrograph===
==Systemic lupus erythematosus lymphadenopathy==
Features (the three main features - just as the name suggests):<ref>URL: [http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_head_and_neck_surgery/volume_1_number_1_30/article_printable/kikuchi_s_lymphadenitis_in_a_young_male.html http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_head_and_neck_surgery/volume_1_number_1_30/article_printable/kikuchi_s_lymphadenitis_in_a_young_male.html]. Accessed on: 1 June 2010.</ref>
{{Main|Systemic lupus erythematosus lymphadenopathy}}
*Histiocytes.
**May be crescentic.
*Necrosis (due to apoptosis) - paracortical areas.<ref name=pmid20121621/>
**Necrosis without neutrophils - '''key feature'''.
*Lymphocytes (CD8 +ve).
*Plasmacytoid dendritic cells.
 
 
Notes:
*Dendritic cell - vaguely resembles a macrophage:<ref>URL: [http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/hematology/hessedd/benignhematologicdisorders/normal-hematopoietic-cells/dendritic-cell.cfm?drid=214 http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/hematology/hessedd/benignhematologicdisorders/normal-hematopoietic-cells/dendritic-cell.cfm?drid=214]. Accessed on: 3 June 2010.</ref>
**Long membrane projections - '''key feature'''.
**Abundant blue-grey cytoplasm, +/- ground-glass appearance.
**Nucleus: small, ovoid, usu. single nucleolous.
 
Images:
*[http://www.surgicalpathologyatlas.com/glfusion/mediagallery/media.php?s=20080802171644281 Kikuchi disease (surgicalpathologyatlas.com)].
*[http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/hematology/hessedd/benignhematologicdisorders/normal-hematopoietic-cells/dendritic-cell.cfm?drid=214 Dendritic cell (virginia.edu)].
 
===IHC===
*CD68 +ve.
*CD8 +ve.
*CD4, CD20, CD3, and CD30 - mixed.
**Done to excluded lymphoma; should show a mixed population of lymphocytes.


==Castleman disease==
==Castleman disease==
===General===
*[[AKA]] ''angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia'', ''giant lymph node hyperplasia''.<ref>URL: [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/castleman-disease/DS01000 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/castleman-disease/DS01000]. Accessed on: 17 June 2010.</ref>
*[[AKA]] ''angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia'', ''giant lymph node hyperplasia''.<ref>URL: [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/castleman-disease/DS01000 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/castleman-disease/DS01000]. Accessed on: 17 June 2010.</ref>
*Benign.
*Abbreviated '''CD'''.
*Abbreviated '''CD'''.
 
{{Main|Castleman disease}}
===Classification===
CD is grouped by location/involvment:
*Hyaline vascular variant.
**Usually unicentric.
**Typically mediastinal or axial.
*Plasma cell variant.
**Usually multicentric.
**Abundant plasma cells.
**Associated with HHV-8 infection (the same virus implicated in ''Kaposi's sarcoma'').
 
Discussed here: <ref name=pmid19546611>PMID 19546611</ref>
 
===Microscopic===
Features:<ref>URL: [http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_otorhinolaryngology/volume_9_number_2_11/article/a_rare_case_of_castleman_s_disease_presenting_as_cervical_neck_mass.html http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_otorhinolaryngology/volume_9_number_2_11/article/a_rare_case_of_castleman_s_disease_presenting_as_cervical_neck_mass.html]. Accessed on: 15 June 2010.</ref>
*Pale concentric (expanded) mantle zone lymphocytes.
**"Regressed follicle". (???)
*"Lollipops" - germinal centers fed by prominent vessels; lollipop-like appearance.
*Two germinal centers in one follicle.


==Cat-scratch disease==
==Cat-scratch disease==
===General===
*[[AKA]] ''cat scratch fever''.
*[[AKA]] ''Cat-scratch fever''.
{{Main|Cat scratch disease}}
*Infection caused ''Bartonella henselae'',<ref name=pmid19332922>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Jerris | first1 = RC. | last2 = Regnery | first2 = RL. | title = Will the real agent of cat-scratch disease please stand up? | journal = Annu Rev Microbiol | volume = 50 | issue =  | pages = 707-25 | month =  | year = 1996 | doi = 10.1146/annurev.micro.50.1.707 | PMID = 8905096 }}</ref> a gram-negative bacilla (0.3-1.0 x 0.6-3.0 micrometers) in chains, clumps, or singular.<ref name=Ref_ILNP110>{{Ref ILNP|110}}</ref>
*Treatment: antibiotics.
 
===Clinical===
Features:<ref name=Ref_ILNP113>{{Ref ILNP|113}}</ref>
*Usually unilateral.
**May be desseminated in individuals with immune dysfunction.
*Contact with cats.
 
===Micrograph===
Features:<ref name=Ref_ILNP113>{{Ref ILNP|113}}</ref>
*Necrotizing granulomas with:
**Neutrophils present in microabscess (necrotic debris) - '''key feature'''.
***Microabscesses often described as "stellate" (star-shaped).
*+/-Multinucleated giant cells.
 
Notes:
*May involve capsule or perinodal tissue.
 
Stains:
*Warthin-Starry stain +ve.
*B. henselae IHC stain +ve.
 
Image(s):
*[http://www.webpathology.com/image.asp?case=386&n=1 Cat-scratch disease (webpathology.com)].
*[http://www.webpathology.com/image.asp?n=2&Case=386 Cat-scratch disease - high mag. (webpathology.com)]


==Toxoplasma lymphadenitis==
==Toxoplasma lymphadenitis==
{{Main|Toxoplasma}}
===General===
===General===
*Caused by protozoan ''Toxoplasma gondii''.
*Caused by protozoan ''Toxoplasma gondii''.
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***Well-defined cell border - '''important'''.
***Well-defined cell border - '''important'''.
***Singular nucleus.  
***Singular nucleus.  
**Cell clusters usually have interspersed neutrophils.
Images:
*[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toxoplasmosis_lymphadenopathy_-_low_mag.jpg Toxoplasmosis - low mag. (WC)].
*[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toxoplasmosis_lymphadenopathy_-_high_mag.jpg Toxoplasmosis - high mag. (WC)].


Notes:  
Notes:  
*Monocytoid cells CD68 -ve.
*Monocytoid cells CD68 -ve.
===IHC===
*IHC for toxoplasmosis.


==Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy==
==Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy==
===General===
{{Main|Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy}}
*Lymphadenopathy associated with a skin lesion - '''key feature'''.
*May be benign or malignant (e.g. T-cell lymphoma).


===Microscopic===
==Kimura lymphadenopathy==
Features:<ref name=ILNP226>{{Ref ILNP|226}}</ref>
{{Main|Kimura disease}}
*Abundant histiocytes & special histiocytes - in loose irregular clusters '''key feature''':
**Do ''not'' form granuloma; may be similar to ''toxoplasma''.
*Plasma cells (medulla).
*Eosinophils.


Histiocytes & special histiocytes:
==Rosai-Dorfman disease==
*Histiocytes:
*Abbreviated ''RDD''.
**+/-Melanin pigment '''key feature''' (if present).
*[[AKA]] ''sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy'', abbreviated ''SHML''.
**Lipid-laden macrophages.
{{Main|Rosai-Dorfman disease}}
*Interdigitating dendritic cells:
**Need IHC to identify definitively.
*Langerhans cells:
**Classically have a kidney bean nuclei.
**Need IHC to identify definitively.


IHC:
==Langerhans cell histiocytosis==
*Interdigitating dendritic cells: S100 +ve, CD1a -ve.
{{Main|Langerhans cell histiocytosis}}
*Langerhans cells: S100 +ve, CD1a +ve.


==Kimura lymphadenopathy==
==Lymph node hyalinization==
*[[AKA]] ''hyalinized lymph node''.
===General===
===General===
*[[AKA]] ''eosinophilic lymphogranuloma'', ''Kimura disease''.
*Benign.
*Chronic inflammatory disorder - suspected to be infectious.
*Associated with aging.<ref name=pmid12973685>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Taniguchi | first1 = I. | last2 = Murakami | first2 = G. | last3 = Sato | first3 = A. | last4 = Fujiwara | first4 = D. | last5 = Ichikawa | first5 = H. | last6 = Yajima | first6 = T. | last7 = Kohama | first7 = G. | title = Lymph node hyalinization in elderly Japanese. | journal = Histol Histopathol | volume = 18 | issue = 4 | pages = 1169-80 | month = Oct | year = 2003 | doi =  | PMID = 12973685 }}</ref>


Clinical:
===Microscopic===
*Usually neck, periauricular.
Features:
*Peripheral blood eosinophilia.
*Hyaline material (acellular pink stuff on H&E) within a [[lymph node]].
*Increased blood IgE.
 
Subdivided into:<ref name=pmid12973685/>
*Mediastinal-type.
**Usually in medullary sinus.
**Onion peel-like appearance.
*Pelvic-type hyalinization.
**Discrete round, eosinophilic, glassy appearance at low power, whirled/fibrous at high power.
**+/-Calcification.  
 
DDx:
*[[Amyloidosis]] - cotton candy-like appearance, usu. no calcifications.


===Epidemiology===
====Images====
*Males > females.
<gallery>
*Young.
Image: Hyalinized lymph node -- intermed mag.jpg | Hyalinized LN - intermed. mag.
*Asian.
Image: Hyalinized lymph node - alt -- intermed mag.jpg | Hyalinized LN - intermed. mag.
Image: Hyalinized lymph node -- high mag.jpg | Hyalinized LN - high mag.
Image: Hyalinized lymph node -- very high mag.jpg | Hyalinized LN - very high mag.
</gallery>
www:
*[http://www.flickriver.com/photos/euthman/sets/72157594513987154/ Lymph node with amyloidosis - several images (flickriver.com)].


===Microscopic===
===Sign out===
Features:<ref name=Ref_ILNP190>{{Ref ILNP|190}}</ref>
*Not reported.
*Angiolymphoid proliferation.
*Eosinophils - abundant - '''key feature'''.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Haematopathology]].
*[[Haematopathology]].
==Rosai-Dorfman disease==
===General===
*Super rare.
*Horrible prognosis.
===Microscopic===
Features:
*Histiocytes - abundant.
**Small round nuclei.
**Abundant cytoplasm.
*Emperipolesis.
**Histiocytes "eat" other cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells.
IHC:
*CD68 +ve
*S100 +ve
*CD1a -ve


==References==
==References==
Line 245: Line 296:


[[Category:Haematopathology]]
[[Category:Haematopathology]]
[[Category:Lymph node pathology|Lymph node pathology]]

Latest revision as of 15:16, 16 February 2021

This article deals with non-haematologic malignant, i.e. metastases, and non-malignant lymph node pathology. An introduction to the lymph node is in the lymph nodes article.

Haematologic malignancies (in lymph nodes) are dealt with in other articles - see haematopathology and lymphoma.

Overview

Clinical:

  • Lymphadenopathy.

Differential diagnosis:[1]

  • Infectious - fungal, mycobacterial, viral, protozoal (Toxoplasma), bacterial (Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Bartonella)).
  • Neoplastic - lymphoma, carcinoma.
  • Endocrine - hyperthyroidism.
  • Trauma.
  • Autoimmune - SLE, RA, dermatomyositis.
  • Inflammatory - drugs (phenytoin).
  • Idiopathic - sarcoidosis.

Overview in a table

Entity Key feature Other findings IHC DDx Image
Non-specific reactive follicular hyperplasia (NSRFH) large spaced cortical follicles tingible body macrophages, normal dark/light GC pattern BCL2 -ve infection (Toxoplasmosis, HIV/AIDS), Hodgkin's lymphoma image ?
Lymph node metastasis foreign cell population, usu. in subcapsular sinuses +/-nuclear atypia, +/-malignant architecture dependent on tumour type (see IHC) dependent on morphology, endometriosis (mimics adenocarcinoma), ectopic decidua (mimics SCC)
CRC metastasis
Breast metastasis
Progressive transformation of germinal centers large (atypical) germinal centers poorly demarcated germinal center (GC)/mantle zone interfaces, expanded mantle zone IHC to r/o nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) NLPHL, follicular hyperplasia
PTGC - very low mag.
Toxoplasmosis large follicles; epithelioid cells perifollicular & intrafollicular reactive GCs, monocytoid cell clusters, epithelioid cells IHC for toxoplasma NSRFH, HIV/AIDS, Hodgkin's lymphoma
TL - low mag.
Kikuchi disease (histiocystic necrotizing lymphadenitis) No PMNs histiocytes, necrosis IHC for large cell lymphoma (CD30 + others) SLE (has (blue) hematoxylin bodies in necrotic areas), large cell lymphomas
HNL - very high mag.
Cat-scratch disease PMNs in necrotic area "stellate" (or serpentine) shaped microabscesses, granulomas B. henselae, Dieterle stain HIV/AIDS, NSRFH
Cat scratch - very low mag.
Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy melanin-laden histiocytes histiocytosis S-100+ve (interdigitating dendritic cells), CD1a+ve (Langerhans cells) cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
DL - intermed. mag.
Kimura disease eosinophils angiolymphoid proliferation (thick-walled blood vessels with hobnail endothelial cells) IHC ? Langerhans cell histiocytosis, drug reaction, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia
Kimura disease - very high mag.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis abundant histiocytes with reniform nuclei often prominent eosinophilia S-100+, CD1a+ Kimura disease (eosinophilia), Rosai-Dorfman disease
LCH - very high mag.
Rosai-Dorfman disease sinus histiocytosis emperipolesis (intact cell within a macrophage) S-100+, CD1a- Langerhans cell histiocytosis
RDD - very high mag.
Systemic lupus erythematosus lymphadenopathy (blue) hematoxylin bodies necrosis, no PMNs IHC for large cell lymphoma (CD30 + others) Kikuchi disease, large cell lymphomas
SLEL - high mag.
Castleman disease, hyaline vascular variant thick mantle cell layer with laminar appearance ("onion skin" layering) hyaline (pink crap), lollipops (large vessels into GC), no mitoses in GC IHC - to r/o mantle cell lymphoma mantle cell lymphoma, HIV/AIDS
CD - intermed. mag.
Castleman disease, plasma cell variant thick mantle cell layer sinus perserved, interfollicular plasma cells, mitoses in GC HHV-8 HIV/AIDS image ?
Intranodal palisaded myofibroblastoma spindle cells with nuclear palisading RBC extravasation, fibrillary bodies with a central vessel "amianthoid fibers" SMA+, cyclin D1+ schwannoma
IPM - very high mag.

Follicular lymphoma vs. reactive follicular hyperplasia

Factors to consider:[2]

Reactive follicular
hyperplasia
Follicular lymphoma
Follicle location cortex cortex and medulla
Germinal center edge sharp/well-demarcated poorly demarcated
Germinal center density well spaced, sinuses open crowded, sinuses effaced/
compressed to nothingness
Tingible body
macrophages
common uncommon
Germinal center
light/dark pattern
normal abnormal

Lymph node metastasis

Kaposi sarcoma

  • One of the few non-lymphoid primary lymph node tumours.[3]

Melanocytic nevi

See: Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy.
  • Benign melanocytic nevi can be found in lymph nodes.[3]

Progressive transformation of germinal centers

  • Abbreviated as PTGC.

Reactive follicular hyperplasia

Diffuse paracortical hyperplasia

General

  • Benign.

Microscopic

Features:[4]

  • Interfollicular areas enlarged - key feature.
    • T cell population increased.
    • Plasma cells.
    • Macrophages.
    • Large Reed-Sternberg-like cells.

Sinus histiocytosis

Should not be confused with sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, also known as Rosai-Dorfman disease.

Kikuchi disease

  • AKA histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis (HNL).[5]
  • AKA Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

Systemic lupus erythematosus lymphadenopathy

Castleman disease

  • AKA angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, giant lymph node hyperplasia.[6]
  • Abbreviated CD.

Cat-scratch disease

  • AKA cat scratch fever.

Toxoplasma lymphadenitis

General

  • Caused by protozoan Toxoplasma gondii.

Microscopic

Features:[7]

  • Reactive germinal centers (pale areas - larger than usual).
    • Often poorly demarcated - due to loose epithelioid cell clusters at germinal center edge - key feature.
  • Epithelioid cells - perifollicular & intrafollicular.
    • Loose aggregates of histiocytes (do not form round granulomas):
      • Abundant pale cytoplasm.
      • Nucleoli.
  • Monocytoid cells (monocyte-like cells) - in cortex & paracortex.
    • Large cells in islands/sheets key feature with:
      • Abundant pale cytoplasm - important.
      • Well-defined cell border - important.
      • Singular nucleus.
    • Cell clusters usually have interspersed neutrophils.

Images:

Notes:

  • Monocytoid cells CD68 -ve.

IHC

  • IHC for toxoplasmosis.

Dermatopathic lymphadenopathy

Kimura lymphadenopathy

Rosai-Dorfman disease

  • Abbreviated RDD.
  • AKA sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, abbreviated SHML.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Lymph node hyalinization

  • AKA hyalinized lymph node.

General

  • Benign.
  • Associated with aging.[8]

Microscopic

Features:

  • Hyaline material (acellular pink stuff on H&E) within a lymph node.

Subdivided into:[8]

  • Mediastinal-type.
    • Usually in medullary sinus.
    • Onion peel-like appearance.
  • Pelvic-type hyalinization.
    • Discrete round, eosinophilic, glassy appearance at low power, whirled/fibrous at high power.
    • +/-Calcification.

DDx:

  • Amyloidosis - cotton candy-like appearance, usu. no calcifications.

Images

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  • Not reported.

See also

References

  1. URL: http://path.upmc.edu/cases/case289.html. Accessed on: 14 January 2012.
  2. DB. 4 August 2010.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Bigotti, G.; Coli, A.; Mottolese, M.; Di Filippo, F. (Sep 1991). "Selective location of palisaded myofibroblastoma with amianthoid fibres.". J Clin Pathol 44 (9): 761-4. PMC 496726. PMID 1918406. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC496726/.
  4. Ioachim, Harry L; Medeiros, L. Jeffrey (2008). Ioachim's Lymph Node Pathology (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 179. ISBN 978-0781775960.
  5. Kaushik V, Malik TH, Bishop PW, Jones PH (June 2004). "Histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease): a rare cause of cervical lymphadenopathy". Surgeon 2 (3): 179–82. PMID 15570824.
  6. URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/castleman-disease/DS01000. Accessed on: 17 June 2010.
  7. Ioachim, Harry L; Medeiros, L. Jeffrey (2008). Ioachim's Lymph Node Pathology (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 113. ISBN 978-0781775960.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Taniguchi, I.; Murakami, G.; Sato, A.; Fujiwara, D.; Ichikawa, H.; Yajima, T.; Kohama, G. (Oct 2003). "Lymph node hyalinization in elderly Japanese.". Histol Histopathol 18 (4): 1169-80. PMID 12973685.