Last update:
15-Nov-2005

A case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis) in a 32 year-old Greek male patient is reported. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a benign, selflimited disease of unknown causes, with a predominance in female, that often presents with persistently enlarged cervical lymph nodes. The diagnosis is based, in all cases, on the histopathological findings in open biopsy. The disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy: Viral and microbial infections, tuberculosis, hyperplastic lymphadenopathy and metastatic diseases. It can be confused histologically with systemic lupus erythematosus or especially with malignant lymphoma. Histopathological findings are pathognomonic and pathologists should be aware of its typical characteristics.

Key words: Apoptotic lymphadenitis, Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.