Persistent cervical lymphadenitis in a patient with prior thyroid cancer attributed to Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: A Case of Febrile Cervical Lymphadenopathy With Hematological Abnormalities

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a benign but rare disorder associated with febrile cervical lymphadenopathy in young adults. Here, we discuss a case of a young female patient presenting with left tender cervical lymphadenopathy that progressed bilaterally with a fever of unknown origin. Laboratory parameters showed persistent leukopenia, especially neutropenia, which fluctuated with the degree of symptom severity. Two months were taken to confirm the diagnosis of KFD based on the histological interpretation of the lymph node biopsy. Supportive management with analgesics and paracetamol formed the main treatment. This case highlights the challenges and importance of diagnosing KFD to exclude other serious conditions such as lymphoma, tuberculosis, or lupus lymphadenitis that share similar clinical manifestations as KFD.