Kikuchi's disease: an important cause of cervical lymphadenopathy

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, simultaneously diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus in an Arabic female: an agonizing combination

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign condition affecting young Oriental-Asian females. It is characterized by fever and tender cervical lymphadenopathy with an unclear aetiology, and in most longitudinal reviews, KFD occurs before systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, the case of a 28-year-old Kuwaiti female without any relevant past medical history, who was simultaneously diagnosed with KFD and SLE following an Ebstein-Barr virus infection, is reported. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, cyclosporin, and belimumab and her response was clinically and biochemically favourable. Although KFD is prevalent in Asian populations, it may affect all races. Early diagnosis of KFD is difficult, particularly when simultaneously diagnosed with SLE, but crucial to preventing inappropriate therapy. Clinicians need to know about this rare disease, especially when patients present with fever and swollen lymph nodes, due to a risk of misdiagnosis with tuberculosis or lymphoma, as these are more often thought to be the cause of such symptoms.

Kikuchi Fujimoto Lymphadenitis: A Rare Association With COVID-19 Vaccination

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is an uncommon cause of protracted cervical lymphadenopathy in both children and adults. Although the majority of cases have been documented in Asia, this disease has been characterized globally since it was first identified in Japan in 1972. KFD's etiology is not entirely understood, although various theories have been postulated. Usually benign, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease resolves within six months. KFD must be distinguished from other causes of chronic lymphadenopathy, such as lymphoma, inflammatory illnesses, autoimmune conditions, viral lymphadenopathy, and also from tuberculosis, especially in India, where it is still endemic. Here, we present the case report of a healthcare worker with a known case of hypothyroidism and autoimmune skin disorder who presented with prolonged fever, joint pain, and generalized lymphadenopathy post-COVID vaccination and was diagnosed as having KFD on biopsy, which can be associated with a very unusual presentation of this disease.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Following COVID-19

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease (KFD) is a rare self-limiting condition of unknown etiology. It is characterized by fever, and lymphadenopathy most commonly involving posterior cervical lymph nodes. Although it is of uncertain etiology, it is associated with viral infections and autoimmune diseases. Distinction from lymphadenopathy-associated alternate disorders is crucial to avoid unneeded diagnostic procedures and treatment. KFD is diagnosed based on histopathologic examination of the excised lymph node. The management is supportive with favorable outcomes within a few weeks or months. In this case, we describe a 13-year-old boy who complained of painful cervical lymphadenopathy and fever for more than three weeks following COVID-19. Diagnostic workup has been established and KFD diagnosis made based on the histopathologic features of the involved lymph node. The patient showed complete recovery with no recurrence during follow-up. So, this case highlights the possible association between COVID-19 and KFD during this pandemic and keeping it in the differential diagnosis.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: A Rare Cause of Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare benign disease, clinically characterized by fever and tender cervical lymphadenopathy affecting the posterior cervical lymph nodes. This disease is usually accompanied by night sweats, rashes, and headaches. It generally affects young individuals, especially females, of Oriental-Asian origin. The etiology of KFD remains uncertain, but associations have been noted with viral diseases including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), as well as autoimmune disorders including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjogren's syndrome. This review points out the etiology of KFD with cervical lymphadenopathy alongside its clinical presentation, histological highlights, lab investigations, complications, and treatment. Accurate diagnosis of this disease depends on lymph node excisional biopsy. Three histological patterns of KFD are recognized: proliferative, necrotizing, and xanthomatous. Distinction from lymphadenopathy-associated alternate disorders (e.g., SLE, malignancy, tuberculosis, or another infectious lymphadenitis) is essential to ensure appropriate therapy. This self-limited condition entails nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief with consideration of corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine in severe cases.

Case of vaso-occlusive retinopathy in Kikuchi-Fujimoto and lupus overlap syndrome

A 35-year-old woman presented with a constellation of systemic symptoms: rashes, weight loss, arthralgia and mouth ulcers. Six months afterwards, she experienced bilateral and sequential reduction in vision, and was found to have bilateral vaso-occlusive retinopathy, with critical macular ischaemia in the left eye. Her serological markers were consistent with a diagnosis of lupus. A lymph node biopsy confirmed Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, a benign condition of unknown cause characterised by fever, cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy. Given that this overlap syndrome was associated with a number of systemic features and had affected the eyes, an immunosuppressive regime with rituximab was considered prudent. This rendered her vasculitis stable and non-progressive, and there were signs of partial retinal microvasculature recovery on optical coherence tomography angiography. There is increasing evidence of an overlap between Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and systemic lupus erythematosus, which is associated with vaso-occlusive retinopathy. In these instances, a multidisciplinary approach is warranted, with consideration of appropriate treatment in order to prevent harmful sequelae of vasculitis. Our treatment with rituximab abated the disease process, although close follow-up is paramount to monitor results and side-effects of treatment.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease in Michigan: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background:

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease (KFD), also known as Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis, is a rare cause of prolonged cervical lymphadenopathy in both the pediatric and adult populations. It was first reported in Japan in 1972, and since, this disease has been described worldwide, although most cases have been reported in Asia. The etiology of KFD is not fully understood, although there are 2 theories that are described in detail in this review. Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease typically follows a benign course, with resolution of the lymphadenopathy within 6 months. It is important to recognize KFD as a cause of persistent lymphadenopathy, as it shares many characteristics with and must be differentiated from other causes of lymphadenopathy, including lymphoma, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune conditions, and infectious causes of lymphadenopathy.

Case presentation:

Here is presented a case of an 11-year-old male who was born in Vietnam, but subsequently adopted and raised in the United States, who presented to a private practice community-based Otolaryngology group. His chief complaint was a persistent neck mass of approximately 3 months duration. He underwent excisional biopsy for suspected lymphoma, but final pathology rendered a diagnosis of KFD.

Conclusion:

The purpose of this article is not only to review the literature but also to contribute awareness of this entity in the differential diagnosis of persistent lymphadenopathy, especially for the general Otolaryngologist in a community-based setting. In addition, this review would be beneficial for other practitioners as well, specifically Pediatricians, Infectious Disease Physicians, Rheumatologists, Pathologists, and Medical Oncologists.

Kikuchi-fujimoto disease in the United States: three case reports and review of the literature [corrected]

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis [corrected], is a benign, self-limiting disease that manifests primarily as cervical lymphadenopathy but may include low-grade fever, headache, and fatigue. There is a higher incidence of KFD in women aged 20-35 years and in Asian populations. A PubMed search revealed 590 articles that described KFD. Of these, 22 cases have been fully described in the United States. Ten of the 22 (45%) patients were male and 12 (55%) were female, with 20% Caucasian, 20% Asian American, and the remaining 60% of other ethnic backgrounds. In this study, we describe an additional 3 cases of KFD and discuss the diagnosis, pathology, and management of KFD.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease as a rare cause of lymphadenopathy--two cases report and review of current literature

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a benign and self-limited disease, characterized typically by enlargement of regional lymph nodes accompanied by fever. KFD affects predominantly young adult females of Asian origin and is rarely seen in European countries, where it may cause diagnostic difficulties. Two cases of KFD in a 33 and 27-year-old woman with mild fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy initially misdiagnosed for indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was presented. The definitive diagnosis was established on the basis of histopathological examination of totally excised cervical lymph nodes. The propriety diagnosis allowed us to avoid inappropriate chemotherapy. The disease course in our patient was uneventful during the 1.5 and 12-year follow-up period. The clinical presentations, complications as well as current concepts on pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of the Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease was briefly reviewed in this paper. The need of a long-term follow-up of patients with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease was emphasized.

Cervical lymphadenitis: etiology, diagnosis, and management

Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common problem in children. The condition most commonly represents a transient response to a benign local or generalized infection. Acute bilateral cervical lymphadenitis is usually caused by a viral upper respiratory tract infection or streptococcal pharyngitis. Acute unilateral cervical lymphadenitis is caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal infection in 40% to 80% of cases. Common causes of subacute or chronic lymphadenitis include cat-scratch disease and mycobacterial infection. Generalized lymphadenopathy is often caused by a viral infection, and less frequently by malignancies, collagen vascular diseases, and medications. Laboratory tests are not necessary in most children with cervical lymphadenopathy. Most cases of cervical lymphadenitis are self-limited and require no treatment. The treatment of acute bacterial cervical lymphadenitis without a known primary source should provide adequate coverage for both Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

Kikuchi-Fugimoto disease (Cervical Subacute Necrotising Lymphadenitis): an important benign disease often masquerading as lymphoma

OBJECTIVES

We describe a rare cause of posterior triangle cervical lymphadenopathy in a third decade female, outline the clinical and histopathological features and discuss excision biopsy as the investigation of choice in this age group, with lymphoma as the diagnosis of exclusion.

CASE REPORT

A thirty-four year old female was referred to our Head and Neck clinic with a one-month history of left posterior triangle lymphadenopathy. She reported no other symptoms and haematological investigations were normal. She was "Red Flagged" as a possible lymphoma. Excision biopsy revealed extensive histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis providing a diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent posterior triangle lymphadenopathy in the 16-40 year old age group warrants "Red Flag" referral to rule out serious pathology such as HIV, metastatic cancer or lymphoma. When the ENT examination and haematological work up is negative, we advocate proceeding straight to excision biopsy as the quickest way to obtain a diagnosis, which sometimes comes up with the unexpected as in this rare case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.