Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis)

Abstract

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare, benign, idiopathic cause of lymphadenopathy. Typically, it presents with painful cervical lymphadenopathy, fever and less frequently night sweats, weight loss and chills. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is more common among young Asian women with few cases reported among European population. We present a case of a 19 years old Slovak woman who presented with painful left side cervical lymphadenopathy not responding to therapy. An excision bio­psy of the largest cervical lymph node was made. The histopathological findings were compatible with necrotizing lymphadenitis more in keeping with Kikuchi’s lymphadenitis. At the review performed three months later, she was asymptomatic with reduction in the size of cervical lymph nodes.