The value of second opinion in lymph nodes pathology

Abstract

Seventy-seven hematoxylin-eosin stained lymph node sections were independently examined by two specialist pathologists. The percent agreement and kappa statistic were calculated to determine the rate of interobserver concordance. The two pathologists disagree about two cases (2.4%) as whether they are neoplastic or reactive lesions, and disagree about four cases out of 46 (8.6%) whether they are tuberculous or non-tuberclous. Two cases out of 57 (3.4%) were disagreed upon whether they are reactive lymphadenopathy or malignant lymphoma. The overall agreement between the two pathologists was high (91.3-100%) with kappa ranges from 0.81-1 (almost perfect agreement). Further studies that involve a consultant pathologist and lymph node sections stained with special stains and immunohistochemistry are recommended.