Intraparotid Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease masquerading as a parotid gland tumor

The Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a self-limiting lesion of unknown cause first described in 1972 independently by Kikuchi and Fujimoto et al. This self-limiting disorder usually occurs in Asian women in their late 20s or early 30s. Typically, it runs a benign course and appears to resolve spontaneously 1 to 6 months after definite diagnosis. The Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease usually manifests as a localized cervical lymphadenopathy; therefore, most patients with this disease are seen in ears, nose, and throat practice. Nodal involvement other than in the neck area or extranodal involvement is rare. In this situation, however, the Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is easily confused with other less-benign conditions. We describe a case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in a 30-year-old man that presented as a parotid gland tumor. This is the third study to document intraparotid Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in the English literature. Our report illustrates the clinical features of this unusual condition and emphasizes potential confusion with other diagnoses.