Kikuchi's disease [histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis]: a chinicopathologic study of 10 cases

ABSTRACT

Ten patients having Kikuchi's Lymphadenitis diagnosed in our department between 1993 - 1996 were studied. There were 8 females and 2 males, ranging in age from 6 years to 43 years. All the patients presented with cervical lymph node enlargement. Associated clinical findings were fever and raised ESR. Histologically the lymph nodes showed cortical or paracortical patchy pale stained areas, conspicuous foci of necrosis with abundant nuclear and eosinophilic granular debris, surrounded by histiocytes, plasmacytoid monocytes and immunoblasts. Neutrophils were notably absent or scarce. Perinodal inflammation was common. Recognition of Kikuchi's disease by clinicians and pathologists is important, because it may mimic diseases which require specific treatment. Its distinction from malignant lymphoma and lupus lymphadenitis is emphasized in this paper