Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, benign, self-limiting disorder that generally presents with cervical lymphadenopathy. Recognition and early diagnosis of this condition is very critical as it can be easily mistaken for tuberculosis, lymphoma or systemic lupus erythematosus. It predominantly affects young adults (mean age 20-30 years), with a slight preponderance in females. There have been very rare reports of KFD in childhood or elderly. We report case of a 9-year-old female child who presented with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Examination of other systems and laboratory investigations were normal. Biopsy of the cervical node showed features suggestive of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (KFD). CD20, CD3 and CD68 stained positive while CD15 and CD30 were negative, thus confirming the diagnosis. The child was treated with steroids and complete remission occurred in few weeks. Although the incidence of KFD is rare, clinicians should be aware of this condition as early recognition and diagnosis of the disease will minimize unnecessary investigations and cytotoxic treatments.