Fine-needle aspiration cytology of Kikuchi's lymphadenitis: a report of ten cases

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Recurrence of Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Between Children and Adult

Purpose

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, benign, and self-limited disease, characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy and fever. Herein, we analyzed the differences in its clinical manifestations and risk factors for recurrence between children and adults.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with KFD at a tertiary referral hospital between 2005 and 2019. Patients were divided into two groups based on their age: children (<19 years) and adults (≥19 years).

Results

During the 14-year study period, 127 patients were diagnosed with KFD. Among these, 34 (26.8%) were children and 93 (73.2%) were adults. The fever duration was longer and the frequency of myalgia was higher in adults than in children; however, no other significant symptomatic differences were noted between the two groups. Lymph node evaluation was mainly performed using ultrasound in children (61.8%) and computed tomography in adults (78.5%). Moreover, the frequency of antibiotic use was higher in children than in adults (76.5% vs 54.8%, P = 0.027). In adults, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity (titer ≥1:80) as a risk factor for recurrence (odds ratio: 7.813; 95% confidence interval = 1.818-33.333; P = 0.006).

Conclusion

The clinical features of KFD in children and adults were similar; however, the preferred imaging study and frequency of antibiotic use differed significantly between the two groups. Furthermore, in adults, ANA positivity was associated with KFD recurrence. Thus, patients with KFD who present with ANA positivity at diagnosis will benefit from a regular follow-up for monitoring KFD recurrence.

The fine-needle aspiration cytology and clinical findings of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in pediatric patients: a retrospective clinical study

BACKGROUND

Histological evaluation of lymph node is crucial for the definitive diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD). However, lymph node biopsy under local anesthesia is often difficult in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated cytological findings for pediatric patients with prolonged cervical lymphadenitis clinically suggestive of KFD and investigated the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with KFD by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

METHODS

This retrospective clinical study included 58 Japanese pediatric patients with cervical lymphadenitis who underwent FNAC.

RESULTS

Cytological diagnosis was KFD for 22 and suspicion of KFD for 11 patients. The remaining 25 patients were diagnosed with non-specific lymphadenitis (NSL). Tenderness was independently associated with a higher frequency of both KFD in narrow and broad senses, compared with NSL (p = .009; p = .038). The percentage of patients who underwent FNAC within 28 days from symptom onset tended to be higher among patients with KFD in a narrow sense than those with NSL (p = .052).

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that the period from symptom onset to FNAC (<28 days) and the symptom of tenderness were associated with the cytological diagnosis of KFD.

Causes of necrotic features in fine-needle aspirates from cervical lymph nodes

BACKGROUND

Lymph node fine-needle aspiration (LN FNA) cytology indicates necrosis in various diseases. Dominant necrotic features make the diagnosis of underlying conditions very difficult.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 460 patients who underwent cervical LN aspiration cytology that revealed necrotic findings at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital in Daegu, Korea, from 2003-2017. Each specimen was evaluated and analyzed in association with the clinical findings, biopsy findings, and/or other ancillary tests, including acid-fast bacilli staining and molecular testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

RESULTS

When necrotic features were noted upon cervical LN FNA cytology, the most common pathologic LN FNA category was necrosis alone (31.5%). The second most common category was granulomatous inflammation (31.3%), followed by Kikuchi disease (20.0%) and malignant neoplasm (8.7%). In cases where the cervical LN FNA revealed necrosis alone, the most common final diagnosis was tuberculosis. In young patients, Kikuchi disease should be considered as one cervical LN FNA category, while metastatic carcinoma should be suspected in older patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Even when necrosis alone is observed in LN FNA cytology, it is important to determine the cause through further evaluation.

Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Needle Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) is a well-established procedure performed to establish the diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD). Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (US-CNB) is an alternative diagnostic tool for KFD. However, the efficacy of US-CNB is not well evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of US-CNB and compare it with that of US-FNAC in the diagnosis of KFD.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

We analyzed 170 patients who were diagnosed with KFD between January 2009 and May 2019. US-FNAC, US-CNB, and excisional biopsy were performed in 47, 114, and 9 patients, respectively. Diagnostic accuracies of US-FNAC and US-CNB were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

Of the 170 patients, 45 and 125 were men and women, respectively. The mean age was 26.9 ± 9.1 years. The most common symptom was cervical lymphadenopathy, followed by fever, headache, and myalgia. The diagnosis of KFD was established primarily by US-FNAC in 21 (44.7%) of the 47 patients, by US-CNB in 109 (95.6%) of the 114 patients, and by excisional biopsy in all 9 patients. There was no specific major complication related to US-FNAC and US-CNB.

CONCLUSION

US-CNB can be considered safe and effective and used as the primary modality for the pathological diagnosis of KFD.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 131:E1519-E1523, 2021.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease-Like Inflammatory Reaction in a Silicone Breast Implant Seroma

INTRODUCTION

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) may have an autoimmune etiology and some cases have been associated with silicone breast implants. Cytomorphologic features of the disease have been well characterized by fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes. They are so specific as to permit a precise cytologic diagnosis. Cytologic features have not been reported in fluid specimens.

CASE

A 33-year-old female presented with a unilateral periprosthetic silicone breast seroma. The fluid was drained, and cytological analysis revealed numerous lymphocytes with no neutrophils, karyorrhectic nuclear debris, and peculiar histiocytes with eccentrically located nuclei showing a crescentic shape. Many of those histiocytes showed intracellular apoptotic debris.

CONCLUSION

A Kikuchi disease-like inflammatory reaction is possible not only in axillary and cervical lymph nodes of patients with silicone breast implants but also in breast seromas. There is still not enough evidence to establish if there is an association between KFD and breast implants. A detailed cytologic examination of periprosthetic silicone breast seromas may help answer this question. In any case, pathologists must be aware of this possibility. Cytologic features are characteristic enough to permit differentiation from breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.

Diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: a comparison between open biopsy and minimally invasive ultrasound-guided core biopsy

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a self-limited disease without any need of surgical treatments. Sampling of tissue is the only invasive procedure during the clinical course. However, the standard sampling procedure with accuracy, minimal invasiveness, and esthetic maintenance has not been established yet. In this study, a retrospective review of clinical utility and pathological presentations of the ultrasound-guided core biopsy (USCB) and the open biopsy (OB) in consecutive KFD patients. From 2010 to 2012, 34 consecutive patients were enrolled. USCB was performed in 11 patients, and OB was done in 26 patients. KFD was confirmed in 82% cases by USCB. Similar pathological presentations were found both in the specimens of USCB and OB. In the three patients who had received both USCB and OB, KFD was confirmed by USCB in one case, while two by OB. Sampling errors were found both in USCB and OB. For diagnosing KFD, USCB can serve as the first-line diagnostic tool. OB can be applied only in the failed cases of USCB.

Kikuchi's disease

Kikuchi disease is an idiopathic, generally self-limiting cause for lymphadenitis that can be clinically and histologically mistaken for lymphoma or systemic lupus erythematosus. Differentiating this disease from common lymphatic disorder is extremely important from the pathologist's point of view, which is highlighted in the article.

Kikuchi's lymphadenopathy: a relatively rare but important cause of lymphadenopathy in Greece, potentially associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a form of reactive lymphadenopathy, which was firstly described in Japan, but is uncommon in the Western world. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine cases of adult or adolescent Kikuchi's disease diagnosed in a single Haematology Unit in Athens, Greece between 1990 and 2006. The median age of the patients was 25 years (14-40) and 8/9 were females. All patients presented with cervical lymphadenopathy sparing the supraclavicular fossa; one had associated axillary lymphadenopathy, seven had fever and two were asymptomatic. The median duration of lymphadenopathy before presentation was 30 days (10-45). Just palpable splenomegaly was recorded in three patients. The median value of the maximal lymph node diameter was 2 cm (1-5) and only 1/9 had nodes >2 cm in their largest diameter. Lymphadenopathy was tender in two patients; hard nodes were observed in three patients. The median leukocyte count was 4.7 x 10(9)/l (2.2-4.9) with a normal differential in 7/9 patients. No infectious agent could be demonstrated. One patient had clinical and laboratory evidence of primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). In conclusion, Kikuchi's disease represents a rare but important diagnostic possibility for patients presenting with lymphadenopathy in Greece and other western countries. In this setting, autoimmune disorders, mainly lupus and APLS, should be considered and excluded by the appropriate laboratory work-up.

Paediatric Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: a benign cause of fever and lymphadenopathy

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare and benign disease that typically affects the cervical lymph nodes. Its aetiology is unknown and a role of the autoimmune system in the pathogenesis is hypothesized. This self-limiting disease is often confused with malignancies. No specific management is generally required but long-term follow-up should be planned despite the low risk of recurrence, as recurrences have been described many years after the first episode and there is a high risk of development of an autoimmune disease or even lymphoma. We review the clinical and histological features of KFD and report an unusual case presenting with cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, and persistent fever.

Sonographically guided core needle biopsy of cervical lymphadenopathy in patients without known malignancy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of sonographically guided core needle biopsy (core biopsy) for diagnosing the causes of cervical lymphadenopathy in patients without known malignancy.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-five sonographically guided core biopsies performed in 155 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy were retrospectively evaluated. None of the 155 patients had any known primary malignancy. Final diagnoses were determined by the histologic examination from excision biopsy when performed or by the clinical and sonographic follow-up for more than 12 months. When a lymph node diagnosed as benign by sonographically guided core biopsy regressed spontaneously or by subsequent management, the diagnosis made by the sonographically guided core biopsy was considered correct. When a lymph node diagnosed as benign by sonographically guided core biopsy was unchanged or increased in size with subsequent management, excision biopsy was performed. Diagnostic yield, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and complications of core biopsy were evaluated.

RESULTS

Histologic diagnosis could be made by sonographically guided core biopsy in 146 (94%) of the 155 patients. The histologic diagnoses were reactive hyperplasia in 44 patients, tuberculosis in 37, Kikuchi disease in 25, metastasis in 16, lymphoma in 16, normal in 7, and toxoplasmosis in 1. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of sonographically guided core biopsy were 97.9%, 99.1%, and 97.9%, respectively. There were no procedure-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Sonographically guided core biopsy is a safe and efficient tool for diagnosing the cause of cervical lymphadenopathy in patients without known malignancy and may obviate unnecessary excisional biopsy.

Kikuchi disease in Asian children

OBJECTIVES

Kikuchi disease is a benign, self-limiting condition of unknown aetiology, often manifesting as cervical lymphadenopathy and fever. The disease usually manifests itself in adulthood and paediatric reports are uncommon. The aims of this study are to report the features of Kikuchi disease in the local paediatric population, and to raise the awareness of this entity among clinicians involved in treating these children.

METHODS

This is a retrospective series of nine paediatric cases of Kikuchi disease treated in KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. The clinical presentation, subsequent clinical course and laboratory findings of these patients were reviewed.

RESULTS

The patients ranged in age from 7 to 16 years, and included six males and three females. All nine patients presented with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Hepatosplenomegaly was present in one child. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was raised to variable extents, but there was no other significant haematological, serological or microbiological abnormality. In all cases the diagnosis was made on the basis of histological findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Kikuchi disease in the paediatric population is not as uncommon as previously thought, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any child with fever of unknown origin or cervical lymphadenopathy. Early recognition will minimize unnecessary investigations and prolonged empirical treatments.

Kikuchi's disease: a rare cause of meningitis?

We present a case of Kikuchi's disease causing meningitis associated with fever and treated successfully with corticosteroids alone. This is considered to be rare but provides an instructive example of how the diagnosis may be confused with that of tuberculous meningitis and highlights the importance of histopathological analysis.

Clinical and laboratory manifestations of Kikuchi's disease in children and differences between patients with and without prolonged fever

BACKGROUND

Kikuchi's disease (KD) is characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy with or without fever. It has been recognized worldwide but seldom reported in pediatric patients.

METHODS

From January 1985 through December 2001, 64 patients younger than 18 years of age with pathologic proof of KD were enrolled in this study. The clinical manifestations, laboratory data and outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 35 male patients and 29 female patients with age ranging from 2 to 18 years and a median age of 16. All patients had cervical lymphadenopathy except 1 who had generalized lymphadenopathy. Lymph nodes of 32 patients (50%) were painful or tender or both. Lymphadenopathy was unilateral in 52 patients (82.5%). Lymphadenopathy associated with fever was observed in 21 patients (32.8%). Other signs such as skin rash, hepatomegaly or body weight loss were less common. Twenty-six patients (40.6%) had leukopenia and 2 patients had leukocytosis. Nearly one-fourth of the patients had mild liver dysfunction. Virologic or immunologic studies were normal in most patients. Patients with prolonged fever were more likely to have leukopenia (P < 0.05). All patients recovered, but 1 developed systemic lupus erythematosus 5 years later, and the other had vasculitis syndrome 2 years later.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical presentation of KD in pediatric patients is similar to that of adults. KD is a benign, self-limiting disease; prolonged fever occurred only in 32.8% of pediatric patients in our cohort. Leukopenia was the only feature significantly associated with prolonged fever.