Severe Kikuchi's disease responsive to immune modulation

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• Kikuchi's disease is a rare, self-limiting lymphohistiocytic disorder.
• Cervical lymphadenopathy is the most common presentation, lacking distinct clinical features.
• Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion and histopathological confirmation.

Observation:

• A 15-year-old Chinese female presented with severe Kikuchi's disease.
• The patient experienced a relapsing disease course.

Findings:

• The severe, relapsing Kikuchi's disease in this patient was refractory to standard treatments.
• High-dose steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy proved effective in managing the condition.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential need for aggressive immunosuppressive therapy in severe Kikuchi's disease.
• Intravenous immunoglobulin may be a valuable therapeutic option for refractory cases.
• Further research into Kikuchi's disease pathogenesis and treatment is warranted.