Profile of Adenopathies in a Tropical Setting: 78 Observations in Gabon

Objective. To determine the main causes of lymphadenopathies and their clinical characteristics in Gabon. Material and Method. This retrospective study analyzed the records of patients hospitalized in the medical department at the Military Hospital of Libreville (Gabon) from January 2010 through December 2011 who presented one or more lymphadenopathies. Results. The study included 78 patients (45 men, 33 women), with a mean age of 42.2 +/- 15.9 years. Lymphadenopathies were superficial in 67.9% of cases, abdominal in 42% of cases and mediastinal in 24% of cases. Both deep and superficial locations were noted in 26% (20 cases). Weight loss (63%), fever (56%), asthenia (54%), hepatomegaly (26%), and splenomegaly (20%) were the clinical signs most frequently associated with lymphadenopathy. The main diagnoses were tuberculosis (52%, 41 cases) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (11%, 9 cases). Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was found in 47% of cases. Conclusion. Tuberculosis remains the most frequent cause of lymphadenopathy in our setting. HIV testing should be routinely performed in all patients with lymphadenopathy.