Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: a report of two cases and an overview

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) has been widely reported from Japan and sporadically from many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia, since its original description in 1972 but the disease remains poorly known by clinicians. In this paper we report two Saudi patients seen in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. One was a 36-year-old Saudi man and the other a 16-year-old Saudi girl. Both presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and pyrexia. Histological examination of biopsy material from both showed classical features of KFD. Other laboratory findings were unremarkable except for leucopenia. Following excision biopsy both patients recovered without sequelae. KFD is a self-limiting process of uncertain aetiology that predominantly affects young women aged 20-30 years. We review the pathology, clinical featuers and possible aetiology of this interesting disease, which may well be underdiagnosed. Increased awareness of KFD will minimize the risk of confusing this entity with malignant lymphoma or other serious conditions.