Kikuchi's lymphadenitis in Qatar

The clinicopathologic features of five cases of Kikuchi's lymphadenitis (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis without granulocytic infiltration) occurring in Qatar are presented. There were three females and two males aged from 18 to 36 years with a mean of 29 years. Three were Indians and two were Qataris. Cervical lymph nodes were affected in all cases while one patient also had inguinal and femoral lymph node enlargement. Three patients achieved complete remission within three months. The differential diagnosis both clinically and histologically, included malignant lymphoma, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, leprosy, Yersinia and viral infections. To avoid errors in diagnosis, especially that of malignant lymphoma, attention must be paid to the location of the lesion, composition of the cellular infiltrate and the typical fibrinoid type of necrosis in the background.