[Recurrent case of subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis in young man]

A 10-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of lymphadenopathy and fever. Biopsy of a cervical lymph node demonstrated nodular necrotic foci containing many macrophages phagocyting the karyorrhexic nuclei. He was diagnosed as subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis (SNL) and all the symptoms disappeared spontaneously within a month. Five year later, lymphadenopathy recurred, and re-biopsy showed the same histological findings and he also recovered spontaneously. Although the prognosis of SNL is generally excellent and the majority of the patients recover without any treatment, recurrences are very rare, especially in young male patient.