Bilateral pleural effusion and interstitial lung disease as unusual manifestations of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: case report and literature review

The great masquerader: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease presenting as fever of unknown origin

INTRODUCTION

Kikuchi-Fujimoto (KF) disease, also known as necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis, is a rare cause of fever of unknown origin. Most commonly seen in Japanese populations, it presents with fever and diffuse lymphadenopathy. KF can present a diagnostic challenge as its presentation can mimic sepsis, autoimmune disease, and/or malignancy. We present a case of KF disease presenting with innumerable pulmonary nodules and suspected sepsis.

CASE REPORT

A 24-year old African-American male inmate with no past medical history presented to the Emergency Department with two witnessed generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Initial vitals were notable for a fever of 101.5 F, tachycardia, and tachypnea. He was lethargic with a diffuse, erythematous, scaly, necrotic rash. Additionally, cervical, axillary, and inguinal mobile, non-tender lymph nodes were noted. Laboratory studies revealed white blood cells 1.9 × 10 3 cells/μL with 25% bands, hemoglobin 9.4 G/dL, and platelet count of 110 × 10 3 cells/μL. He was subsequently admitted for sepsis due to presumed meningitis and started on broad-spectrum antibiotics. Lumbar puncture revealed no pleocytosis. Peripheral blood smear showed bandemia with Pelger Huet cells. Computed Tomography of chest, abdomen, and pelvis with contrast revealed diffuse pulmonary nodules involving all lobes of the lungs in addition to bulky hilar and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Interventional Radiology performed a retroperitoneal lymph nodes biopsy that revealed lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltrate with extensive necrosis. Otolaryngology performed an excisional biopsy of a lymph node, which showed histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. The final diagnosis was Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis.

OUTCOME

The patient completed a 7-day course of empiric antibiotics. Workup for infectious etiologies was negative. The patient had a repeat CT of the chest with interval resolution of his pulmonary nodules on outpatient follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Patients with innumerable pulmonary nodules and fever of unknown origin should be evaluated early in their hospital course for KF as early diagnosis can reduce excessive testing and shorten hospital stay.

The Differential Diagnosis of Bilateral Pleural Effusion and Multiple Mediastinal Lymphadenopathies Includes Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is an uncommon lymphohistiocytic disorder that frequently presents with acute or subacute clinical disease course. Cervical lymphadenopathy is the most common involved lymph node. Very rare cases of pathologic diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease with bilateral pleural effusion and multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathies have been reported in the literature. In this article, we report the case of a 60-year-old male presented with bilateral pleural effusion and multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathies. He received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery of the right pleura and thoracoscopic excision of the mediastinal lymph node. The pathologic findings from the lymph node and pleura were compatible with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. He was treated with oral hydroxychloroquine and oral prednisolone. A computed tomography scan of the chest 4 months later showed regressive mediastinal lymphadenopathy and bilateral pleural effusion. Our case is a first reported case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease diagnosis by the pathology of the lymph node and pleura in the literature. Results from our case suggest that Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of bilateral pleural effusion and multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathies.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Triggered by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection-A Report of a Case and a Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis that was described for the first time in 1972 in Japan. Its etiology is still not fully understood. It has been reported in association with many different agents, diseases, and triggering factors without any conclusive result. To the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time a case of KFD with systemic lupus erythematosus in a child in association with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive throat swab for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Although difficult to prove, the acute M. pneumoniae infection might have served as a triggering event for the development of KFD in our case. We encourage further studies to investigate a potential relationship between KFD and M. pneumoniae, which should also use PCR-based testing for this pathogen in patients with KFD.

Intensive care management of a rare case of pyrexia of unknown origin (Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease)

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a rare, benign cause of necrotising lymphadenitis often presenting with fever. We describe a case of a 17-year-old boy with non-verbal autism presenting to our intensive care unit with prolonged fever of unknown cause. This case highlights the role of the intensive care unit in cases of diagnostic dilemma. The critical care community should be aware of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease as although it is usually benign, it can rarely lead to acute airway compromise.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: A Review

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare entity characterized by subacute necrotizing lymphadenopathy and frequently associated with fever. Young adults of Asian ancestry are most commonly affected, but it has been reported worldwide. Despite many studies in the literature, the cause of KFD remains uncertain. Histologically, KFD is characterized by paracortical lymph node expansion with patchy, well-circumscribed areas of necrosis showing abundant karyorrhectic nuclear debris and absence of neutrophils and eosinophils. Three evolving histologic patterns-proliferative, necrotizing, and xanthomatous-have been recognized. By immunohistochemistry, histiocytes in KFD are positive for myeloperoxidase. There is a marked predominance of T cells in the lesions (with mostly CD8-positive cells) with very few B cells. The differential diagnosis of KFD includes infectious lymphadenitis, autoimmune lymphadenopathy (primarily systemic lupus erythematosus), and lymphoma. Clinicians and pathologists are poorly familiar with this entity, which frequently causes significant diagnostic challenges.

Report of a rare case of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis with bilateral pleural effusion diagnosed via cervical lymph node biopsy

CONTEXT

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL) is a rare disorder that is often benign and self-limiting. There have been reports of co-occurrence of HNL with other diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, hemophagocytic syndrome and antiphospholipid syndrome.

CASE REPORT

Here, we report a case in which a patient experienced unexplained fever, swelling of the cervical lymph node and bilateral pleural effusion and was ultimately diagnosed with HNL based on results from a lymph node biopsy. After treatment with glucocorticoid, the patient regained normal body temperature, the swelling of the lymph nodes disappeared and the pleural effusion was reabsorbed.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenesis of HNL remains unclear, and pleural effusion is rarely reported in HNL patients. We presented this case to improve diagnostic awareness of this condition among clinicians and help reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: a case report of a multi-drug resistant, grueling disease

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis or Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is characterized by its rare occurrence. Mostly prevalent among Asian women, KFD manifests with lymphadenopathy-affecting mostly cervical and rarely generalized or retroperitoneal regions-in addition to fever. It is a self-limited disease that resolves within 1-4 months, responding remarkably to glucocorticosteroids or hydroxychloroquine. However, some rare cases prove to be unresponsive to the previously mentioned therapies. Here is a description of a case of KFD affecting a 67-year-old Syrian woman with a history of hypothyroidism due to iodine-deficiency. The patient's initial clinical picture was malaise, fever, pericarditis and generalized lymphadenopathy. As treatment, she was given glucocorticosteroids with no significant response, while hydroxychloroquine proved to be partially effective. Until the date of this report, she has been receiving hydroxychloroquine with only slight clinical improvement. This case is proving to be resistant unlike most KFD cases that generally respond very well to treatment.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease associated with community acquired pneumonia showing intrathoratic lymphadenopathy without cervical lesions

Introduction

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare entity of unknown etiology in young adults that is typically characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy and persistent fever. The pathogenesis of KFD has been suggested to be an abnormal immune response, and infections or autoimmune diseases are considered to be involved in KFD. However, KFD associated with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) has not been reported.

Case description

A 35-year-old male was admitted due to high fever, diffuse air-space consolidation in the right lung with ipsilateral pleural effusion and massive mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy without cervical lesions. On clinical suspicion of malignant lymphoma complicated with pneumonia, we performed a video-assisted thoracoscopic lymph node biopsy, and the diagnosis of KFD was established. Complete cure of the intrathoratic lesions was observed by administration of β-lactam antibiotics alone without steroid therapy.

Discussion and evaluation

Previous large case series have identified no pathogenic relationship between KFD and pneumonia. The hilar adenopathy could have caused airway compression leading to pneumonia.

Conclusions

KFD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of massive mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy, even when there are no superficial lesions. In addition, we need to bear in mind that unexpected disorders occasionally coexist with common diseases.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: retrospective study of 91 cases and review of the literature

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare cause of lymphadenopathy, most often cervical. It has been mainly described in Asia. There are few data available on this disease in Europe. We conducted this retrospective, observational, multicenter study to describe KFD in France and to determine the characteristics of severe forms of the disease and forms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We included 91 cases of KFD, diagnosed between January 1989 and January 2011 in 13 French hospital centers (median age, 30 ± 10.4 yr; 77% female). The ethnic origins of the patients were European (33%), Afro-Caribbean (32%), North African (15.4%), and Asian (13%). Eighteen patients had a history of systemic disease, including 11 with SLE. Lymph node involvement was cervical (90%), often in the context of polyadenopathy (52%), and it was associated with hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in 14.8% of cases. Deeper sites of involvement were noted in 18% of cases. Constitutional signs consisted mainly of fever (67%), asthenia (74.4%), and weight loss (51.2%). Other manifestations included skin rash (32.9%), arthromyalgia (34.1%), 2 cases of aseptic meningitis, and 3 cases of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Biological signs included lymphocytopenia (63.8%) and increase of acute phase reactants (56.4%). Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and anti-DNA antibodies were present in 45.2% and 18% of the patients sampled, respectively. Concomitant viral infection was detected in 8 patients (8.8%). Systemic corticosteroids were prescribed in 32% of cases, hydroxychloroquine in 17.6%, and intravenous immunoglobulin in 3 patients. The disease course was always favorable. Recurrence was observed in 21% of cases. In the 33 patients with ANA at diagnosis, SLE was known in 11 patients, diagnosed concomitantly in 10 cases and in the year following diagnosis in 2 cases; 6 patients did not have SLE, and 4 patients were lost to follow-up (median follow-up, 19 mo; range, 3-39 mo). The presence of weight loss, arthralgia, skin lesions, and ANA was associated with the development of SLE (p < 0.05). Male sex and lymphopenia were associated with severe forms of KFD (p < 0.05). KFD can occur in all populations, irrespective of ethnic origin. Deep forms are common. An association with SLE should be investigated. A prospective study is required to determine the risk factors for the development of SLE.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: retrospective study of 91 cases and review of the literature

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare cause of lymphadenopathy, most often cervical. It has been mainly described in Asia. There are few data available on this disease in Europe. We conducted this retrospective, observational, multicenter study to describe KFD in France and to determine the characteristics of severe forms of the disease and forms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We included 91 cases of KFD, diagnosed between January 1989 and January 2011 in 13 French hospital centers (median age, 30 ± 10.4 yr; 77% female). The ethnic origins of the patients were European (33%), Afro-Caribbean (32%), North African (15.4%), and Asian (13%). Eighteen patients had a history of systemic disease, including 11 with SLE. Lymph node involvement was cervical (90%), often in the context of polyadenopathy (52%), and it was associated with hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in 14.8% of cases. Deeper sites of involvement were noted in 18% of cases. Constitutional signs consisted mainly of fever (67%), asthenia (74.4%), and weight loss (51.2%). Other manifestations included skin rash (32.9%), arthromyalgia (34.1%), 2 cases of aseptic meningitis, and 3 cases of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Biological signs included lymphocytopenia (63.8%) and increase of acute phase reactants (56.4%). Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and anti-DNA antibodies were present in 45.2% and 18% of the patients sampled, respectively. Concomitant viral infection was detected in 8 patients (8.8%). Systemic corticosteroids were prescribed in 32% of cases, hydroxychloroquine in 17.6%, and intravenous immunoglobulin in 3 patients. The disease course was always favorable. Recurrence was observed in 21% of cases. In the 33 patients with ANA at diagnosis, SLE was known in 11 patients, diagnosed concomitantly in 10 cases and in the year following diagnosis in 2 cases; 6 patients did not have SLE, and 4 patients were lost to follow-up (median follow-up, 19 mo; range, 3-39 mo). The presence of weight loss, arthralgia, skin lesions, and ANA was associated with the development of SLE (p < 0.05). Male sex and lymphopenia were associated with severe forms of KFD (p < 0.05). KFD can occur in all populations, irrespective of ethnic origin. Deep forms are common. An association with SLE should be investigated. A prospective study is required to determine the risk factors for the development of SLE.

Prevalence of connective tissue diseases in egyptian patients presenting with Fever of unknown origin

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of connective tissue diseases in patients presenting with fever of unknown origin (FUO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study thirty patients diagnosed as FUO (Group 1), in 2008, were included in an observational study and diagnostic workup. Additionally, retrospective analysis of seventy patients' files (Group 2), for patients who presented with prolonged unexplained pyrexia to the same hospital in the previous two years, was performed. Patients were subjected to: full clinical assessment including full history taking, thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations including the basic investigations for patients with prolonged fever, complete blood count, erythrocytes sedimentation rate, urine analysis and culture, blood culture, sputum culture and plain chest X ray. Further diagnostic work up and/or procedures were requested according to the potential diagnostic clues (PDC) present in every patient.

RESULTS

Out of 100 FUO patients, 50% were found to have infectious diseases, 24% were found to have connective tissue diseases, 8% miscellaneous causes and 7% neoplastic diseases (P < 0.05). In 11 patients no definite cause for FUO could be identified. Connective tissue patients were: eight systemic lupus patients (33.3%), five patients with familial mediterranean fever (20.8%), four patients with rheumatoid arthritis (16.6%), three patients (12.5%) with Still's disease and Rheumatic fever and one patient with Behçet syndrome/Crohn's disease (4.3%), (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the advanced technology, FUO remains a challenging medical problem. Infections were the most common cause of FUO in Egypt, confirming the trends found in other parts of the world. There was an increased prevalence of connective tissue patients presented with prolonged unexplained fever. A keen clinical eye, meticulous history taking and repeated physical examination remained the most important diagnostic tools in FUO patients.