ABSTRACT
Background: Necrotizing lymphadenitis represents a group of diseases characterized by non-granulomatous inflammation and necrosis of the lymph node, caused by a variety of infective and inflammatory diseases, most common being Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, acute Epstein Barr viral infection and systemic lupus erythematosis (1). Objectives: To study the morphological features in lymph nodes in cases of necrotizing lymphadenitis, to correlate them with specific etiological conditions.Materials and methods-58 cases of necrotizing lymphadenitis were reviewed and categorized into different etiological sub types, i.e. acute EBV lymphadenitis, lupus lymphadenitis and the rest as Kikuchis lymphadenitis. Morphological features studied were presence of vascular proliferation, periadenitis, foamy macrophage, neutrophil and plasma cell infiltrate. Clinical follow up was done. Results: 62.2% of cases were Kikuchis lymphadenitis. Both lupus and Kikuchis had a female preponderance (78% and 62% respectively). Among the morphological parameters, plasma cell infiltration and vascular proliferation showed significant association with lupus lymphadenitis. Kikuchis and EBV lymphadenitis showed self-limiting course, with only 2 cases of Kikuchis developing recurrence .4 cases developed complications. All cases of lupus lymphadenitis needed long term therapy. Conclusion: Kikuchis lymphadenitis is the most common cause of necrotizing lymphadenitis, followed by lupus and acute EBV lyphadenitis.Young females were commonly affected in the first 2 groups. It is worthwhile to classify the cases of necrotizing lymphadenitis into etiological subgroups as the prognosis and treatment differ (2). Among the morphological features studied, plasma cell infiltrate and vascular proliferation were significantly associated with lupus lymphadenitis, hence can be used to predict etiology.