Background: Tuberculous Lymphadenitis is the commonest form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis and tissue diagnosis is the main stay in the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. This study was conducted to compare cytology, Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) staining and culture findings of clinically suspected tubercular lymphadenitis case. In the Present Study clinically suspected cases of lymphadenitis were undergoing Fine Needle Aspiration. The aspirate were examined cytologically followed by ZN staining and culture. Results: 42 samples were collected from clinically suspected cases of tubercular lymphadenitis were processed for cytology which showed 57.1%, regular smear with ZN staining showed 23% and culture on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) media showed 28% positive aetiological diagnostic results. Among the 12 culture positive for mycobacteria 9(75%) phenotypically identified as M.tuberculosis, rest three were M.chelonae, M.abscessus and M. fortuitum. Conclusion: In spite of the diagnostic pitfalls, the results obtained on analysis of the study carried out reinforce the opinion that Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology serves as a potent and accurate diagnostic tool for patients presenting with Lymphadenopathy due to tuberculosis.
