[Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease]

ABSTRACT

The necrotizing histiocyte lymphadenitis is a disease of unknown cause. Clinicians should be aware of this uncommon disease in order to differentiate it from lymphoma, infectious adenitis, and collagenosis. A 24-year-old woman consulted for a right cervical mass which had developed rapidly with no associated symptom. Laboratory results were normal. The gangular biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of necrotizing hymphanditis. Necrotizing histiocyte lymphadenitis is generally observed in young women in their twenties. There has been no predominant ethnic backgrouns. Clinically, it is characterized by lymphadenitis of one or more lymph nodes, predominantly in the cervical region. The Laboratory tests are normal excepting for discrete signs of inflammation. Diagnosis anatomopathologic, the characteristic features include focal necrosis predominantly in the paracortical region with abundant karyorrhectic debris and atypical mononuclear cells around the necrotic zone [crescent-shaped histiocytes, plasmacytoid monocytes, and small lymphocytes and immunoblasts]. The clinical course is generally spontaneously favorable in six months. Relapse is uncommon. The clinicopathologic picture can be confused with a malignant blood disease particularly lymphoma. Evolution is benign and healing without treatment is the rule