Histomorphometric study of axillary lymph nodes in different age groups

Abstract

Background Although some age-related changes in lymph node histoarchitecture have been described, they are seldom taken into account in traditional depictions of lymph nodes. Recently introduced clinical procedures, such as intranodal vaccinations have demonstrated the need for an accurate knowledge of the degenerative processes of lymph nodes. It is thus deemed necessary to obtain a detailed insight into anatomical changes within the lymph node throughout life as age-related degeneration can have a strong impact on the outcome of these new therapeutic strategies. Aim To study the size and shape of the lymph nodes and to establish the agedependent histoarchitectural changes in the lymph nodes in different age groups. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 35 axillary lymph nodes. The adult axillary group of lymph nodes were from subjects aged between 18 and 70 years. The fetal lymph nodes were collected from 8 stillborn fetuses between 37 and 42 weeks. Thickness of the cortex and diameter of the germinal centers were measured using ocular and stage micrometer. Results None of the fetal lymphocytic follicles showed evidence of a prominent germinal center. The germinal centers of young adults were not only more numerous but also larger in size when compared with the old. An age-related involution of the paracortical region was witnessed in the axillary lymph nodes. No evidence of lipomatous atrophy was encountered in any of the fetal lymph nodes. Interesting evidence of it was encountered in younger age groups. However, this was the most prominent feature in the older groups.

Keywords

• germinal center
• lipomatous atrophy
• paracortical region