[Concomitant association of Kikuchi disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. Case report]

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: report of 4 cases and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a benign disease of unknown origin predominantly affecting young women and presenting in the form of cervical lymphadenopathy and/or prolonged fever.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The authors report 4 cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease diagnosed in the Internal Medicine Department of Ibn Sina university hospital in Rabat between 2009 and 2010.

RESULTS

These 4 women with a mean age of 27±8.6years [16-37] were admitted with febrile syndrome and cervical lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis was based on histological examination of a lymph node biopsy. The disease was associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in one case and actinomycosis in another case. A favourable course was observed in response to corticosteroid therapy in two patients, antibiotic therapy in one patient and antipyretic treatment alone in the fourth patient.

CONCLUSION

In the light of these four cases, the authors discuss the diagnostic difficulties, the modalities of treatment of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and its clinical course.

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Is histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis in SLE associated with skin lesions?

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL), or Kikuchi's disease, is a benign and self-limiting lymphadenopathy that typically affects young Asian females. It presents with lymphadenopathy, usually cervical, accompanied by fever, chills and leukopenia. Although the association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and HNL is rare, the number of reports of HNL in SLE patients is increasing. We present nine cases of HNL in patients with SLE. Among the seven patients with diverse skin manifestations, three had skin manifestations that were histologically compatible with SLE. A review of previous reports in the literature showed that cutaneous involvement was commonly found in HNL in association with SLE. In the patients who had simultaneous onset of both diseases, lupus flare-ups were commonly observed. We suggest that HNL in SLE patients is associated with cutaneous manifestations. This report contributes to our understanding of the relationship between these diseases.

Lymphadénite histiocytaire nécrosante ou maladie de Kikuchi-Fujimoto

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), first described independently by Kikuchi and Fujimoto in 1972, is a subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis of unknown cause. Although most frequent in young Asian women, KFD has a worldwide distribution. Clinically, KFD is characterized by lymphadenitis of one or more lymph nodes, predominantly in the posterior cervical region, fever, and leukopenia in up to 50% of cases. Extranodal manifestations can occur, especially skin lesions and aseptic meningitides. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by analysis of samples from an excisional biopsy of the affected nodes. Histologically, the lesions affect the cortical and paracortical areas of the node. Characteristic features include focal necrosis predominantly in the paracortical region with abundant karyorrhectic debris and atypical mononuclear cells around the necrotic zone (crescent-shaped histiocytes, plasmacytoid monocytes, and small lymphocytes and immunoblasts, mostly CD3(+)/CD8(+)), most often with an intact lymph node capsule, an absence of neutrophils, and a paucity of plasma cells. KFD has been classified into three histological subtypes and is thought to progress from the proliferative type (> 50%) to the necrotizing type (30%) and finally resolve into the xanthomatous type (< 20%). Differential diagnoses should include malignant lymphoma, infectious diseases such as toxoplasmatic lymphadenitis, tuberculous lymphadenitis and cat scratch disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The cause of KFD is unknown: a viral infection has been suggested, but not demonstrated, possibly involving human herpes virus 8 or Epstein-Barr virus. Apoptotic cell death plays a role: proliferating CD8(+) T-lymphocytes act as both killers and victims in the apoptotic process via Fas and perforin pathways. The course is usually benign with resolution in a few months with the use of antiinflammatory drugs. Regular follow-up is required because SLE may develop several years after the onset of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

[Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease and connective tissue disease: a report of three cases]

INTRODUCTION

Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, clinicopathological entity of unknown aetiology, is a rare and benign cause of cervical lymphadenopathies. It can be associated with various auto-immune diseases especially systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) or with some infectious agents.

EXEGESIS

This report describes a survey of three patients who developed Kikuchi's lymphadenitis occurring concomitantly with connective tissue disease: LES in two cases and non determined connective tissue disease in the other case. Comparing the clinical, histopathological and evolutionary findings to the literature allows to identify the main features of this self-limiting disorder: occurrence in young women; clinical presentation with cervical lymphadenopathy in a context of fever and asthenia. The definite diagnosis is usually made through histopathological examination of a lymph node biopsy. Disease course is generally favourable with spontaneous resolution within few weeks. It may be improved with corticosteroid treatment in patients with systemic involvement. Prognosis is related to the associated disease.

CONCLUSION

Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease is a rare and benign cause of cervical lymphadenopathy that could resemble lymphoma, tuberculosis and may be associated with a characterized systemic disease.

[Pathogenic links between Kikuchi's disease and lupus: a report of three new cases]

INTRODUCTION

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis or Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease is a rare anatomoclinical entity whose etiology remains unknown. It is mainly reported in young adult female, presenting with cervical lymphadenopathies, fever and asthenia. The diagnosis is based on the histological examination of a lymph node biopsy. The disease course is usually uneventful, but sometimes Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease can reveal or evolve into a cutaneous or a systemic lupus.

EXEGESIS

We report three new cases of Kikuchi's disease: the first one mimicked a systemic lupus, the second one was associated with a lupus-like rash, and a the last one was a severe case with hemophagocytic syndrome and a primo-infection with Epstein-Barr virus revealing a systemic lupus erythematosus.

CONCLUSION

Clinical and biological follow-up of patients presenting with Kikuchi's disease is necessary to look for an association with a lupus. We discuss the pathogenic links between Kikuchi's disease and lupus.

[Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis]

BACKGROUND

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or necrotizing histiocyte lymphadenitis is a disease of unknown cause whose main clinical feature is adenopathy, generally in a cervical location. The disease was described for the first time in Japan in 1972 and the first case in France was reported in 1986. Clinicians should be aware of this uncommon disease in order to differentiate it from infectious adenitis, lymphoma and collagenosis.

CASE REPORT

A 21-year-old woman consulted the emergency physician in January 2002 for a right cervical mass which had developed rapidly with no associated symptom. Other smaller masses developed within the following days. Laboratory results demonstrated discrete inflammation. All serologies tested were normal. Diagnostic cervicotomy was performed. The histological diagnosis was necrotizing adenitis.

DISCUSSION

Necrotizing histiocyte lymphadenitis is generally observed in young women in their twenties. There has been no predominant ethnic background. Laboratory tests are normal excepting for discrete signs of inflammation. Diagnosis is provided by pathology and immunohistochemistry. The clinical course is generally spontaneously favorable in six months. Relapse is uncommon.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: case report and review of the literature

Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease (KFD) or histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis is a benign and self-limited disease, of unknown aetiology, which affects mainly young women. It presents with localised lymphadenopathy, predominantly in the cervical region, accompanied by fever and leukopenia in up to 50% of the cases. KFD has been rarely described in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and its diagnosis can precede, postdate or coincide with the diagnosis of SLE. We present a patient with the diagnosis of SLE characterised by arthritis, leukopenia, malar rash, photosensitivity and positive ANA, besides cervical lymphadenopathy whose biopsy was compatible with KFD, which improved after using prednisone. Although the presence of lymphadenopathy is not uncommon in SLE patients, particularly in the phases of disease activity, the concomitance with KFD has rarely been reported in the literature. Its recognition is necessary because one can avoid laborious investigation for infectious and lymphoproliferative diseases.