[Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease]

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a form of necrotizing lymphadenitis. Although the disease usually affects young women aged less than 30 years, it may also affect men with a wide range of age. Clinically generalized lymphadenopathy in the head and neck region may present. Lymph node specimens show areas of necrosis without neutrophilic infiltration. Necrotic areas result from lymphocyte-mediated apoptotic mechanisms. Clinically, it should be differentiated from many infectious diseases including cat scratch disease and rheumatological diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Pathologically, it should be differentiated from lymphomas. Our patient was 30-year-old young and healthy female except cervical lymphadenopathy, and fever symptoms. Lymph node biopsy was performed for the diagnosis. Pathological examination of a lymph node specimen was reported as established Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis). After the treatment the patient's symptoms have completely disappeared.