A rare cause of cervical lymphadenopathy: Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease

Abstract

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease (KFD) is a benign, self-limiting entity seen in Asia with only a few reports in the United States. Patients present with a triad of cervical lymphadenopathy, headache, and fever. Laboratory and imaging findings are nonspecific. Diagnosis is made on histopathological examination of the affected lymph nodes. This disease mimics infectious, autoimmune, and malignant processes. It is important to include this on the differential diagnosis for cervical lymphadenopathy because treatment and prognosis differ. We present a case of KFD in a 34 year old Guatemalan female who presented with cervical lymphadenopathy, headache, and fever, and a review of the current literature.

Keywords

• Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease
• Cervical lymphadenopathy
• Head and neck pathology