Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease: a case series from Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Kikuchi's disease is a rare, benign, self-limiting disease, mainly involving the lymph nodes of young people. The etiology is unknown. Clinical symptoms and basic investigations may mimic lymphomas and chronic granulomatous conditions like tuberculosis. Lymph node biopsy shows characteristic diagnostic features. Even though described internationally, the local disease pattern or incidence has not been well studied. We studied all patients who were diagnosed with Kikuchi's disease at Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya from January 2011 to April 2012. A total of 9 cases showed histopathological features of Kikuchi's disease. All patients were females, in the age group of 12-30 years having fever and lymphadenopathy. They carried a provisional diagnosis of lymphoma, tuberculosis or reactive lymphadenitis. Necrotising lymphadenitis has a predilection for cervical lymph nodes of females and is usually accompanied by fever. Clinical features can resemble tuberculous lymphadenitis or malignant lymphoma. Excision biopsy of the involved node is mandatory for the diagnosis.