[Subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis or Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease]

Area of Science:

• Pathology
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Context:

• Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, self-limiting condition characterized by lymphadenopathy.
• It primarily affects young women and presents with fever and cervical lymph node enlargement.
• While its cause is unknown, KFD shares features with autoimmune and infectious processes.

Purpose:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.
• To detail the clinical, histological, and etiological aspects of KFD.
• To highlight diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, and management strategies.

Summary:

• KFD is a subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis with unknown etiology, predominantly affecting young Asian women but with a global distribution.
• Clinical features include lymphadenitis, fever, and leukopenia; histological findings reveal focal necrosis with atypical mononuclear cells and CD8+ T-lymphocytes.
• The disease progresses through proliferative, necrotizing, and xanthomatous phases, with a generally benign prognosis but a potential association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Impact:

• Clarifies diagnostic criteria for Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, aiding in accurate diagnosis and differentiation from other lymphoproliferative and infectious disorders.
• Emphasizes the importance of histological examination and differential diagnosis, including lymphoma, infections, and SLE.
• Informs clinical management by highlighting the typically benign course and the need for long-term follow-up due to potential SLE development.