Kikuchi-fujimoto disease: a study of 24 cases

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare benign disorder predominantly affecting young adults and has a site predilection for cervical lymph nodes. The objective of this study is to analyze the clinicopathological features of KFD. A retrospective study of 24 cases of KFD presenting at a tertiary care hospital in southern India over a 4 year period is presented here. Clinical findings, histopathological findings and follow up data were reviewed. Of the 24 cases encountered, 17 were females and 7 were males. Painless cervical lymphadenopathy was the most common presenting feature. All cases showed typical morphology of KFD with necrosis, karyorrhectic debris and presence of the typical cell types namely crescentic histiocytes and plasmacytoid monocytes. Of the 19 cases with follow up, all resolved within 1 month. The pathologist should be aware of the typical presentation and morphology of KFD in order to distinguish it from the more common causes of cervical lymphadenopathy like tuberculosis (especially in countries like India) as well lymphomas.