Kikuchi disease with facial rash and erythema multiforme

Abstract

Kikuchi disease, or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a benign illness characterized by fever and cervical lymphadenopathy predominantly in young women. It has a self-limiting course. Skin changes occur in about one-third of patients and are of a nonspecific nature. A case of Kikuchi disease with cutaneous involvement in the guise of erythema multiforme and a facial rash is reported. The differential diagnosis with systemic lupus erythematosus and Rowell syndrome is discussed.