Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: a case report

We describe a rare but typical case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD). Two subcutaneous nodules appeared suddenly on the right of the neck of a 15-year-old girl. Microscopy of a surgical specimen of the larger nodule showed necrotizing lymphadenitis. Prompt treatment with mepirizole resulted in the disappearance of the smaller nodule. No recurrence was noted during 6 months of follow-up. KFD is a rare, self-limiting, necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis that needs to be differentiated from malignant lymphoma. Any nodal biopsy showing fragmented nuclei, necrosis, and karyorrhexis without prominent neutrophils should alert the physician to consideration of KFD, especially in a young woman presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy.