Intravenous dexamethasone for the treatment of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

Abstract

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a self-limiting disease of unknown etiology. The diagnosis of KFD is challenging as it shares a resemblance with many viral, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases. KFD generally presents with histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis involving multiple cervical lymph nodes. The authors present a rare case report of a recurrent case of KFD in a 49-year-old female patient. Intravenous dexamethasone, hydroxychloroquine, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used for controlling the initial symptoms, and later, oral methylprednisolone was used as a maintenance therapy. Intravenous dexamethasone proved to be an effective drug in the treatment of KFD as it helps in faster recovery.

Keywords

• autoimmune disorder
• histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis
• kikuchi's disease
• kikuchi-fujimoto disease
• systemic lupus erythematosus