Atypical Presentation of Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: Diagnostic Challenges in a Case of Persistent Cervical Lymphadenopathy with Acute Onset Quadriplegia.

Abstract

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), is rare, self-limiting disorder with necrotizing lymphadenitis as its hallmark, can be difficult to diagnose because it may have multiple nonspecific features. The study presented here describes the rare type of KFD that occurred in a young male patient suffering from quadriplegia and who was wrongly diagnosed as having tuberculous lymphadenitis, which is a common cause of lymphadenopathy in tuberculosis-endemic area. A 19-year-old man had presented with two week history of fever, quadriplegia, and cervical lymphadenopathy. On physical examination revealed cervical lymphadenopathy. A laceration procedure was performed to address the lymphadenopathy. The patient was treated with anti-tubercular medication for 11 days. Currently, his urinary and bowel functions are stable, and he is fully conscious, alert, and oriented to time, place, and person. Histopathology showed classical changes in histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis in the lymph nodes with no evidence of either tuberculosis or neoplasm. This KFD case is particularly glaring in terms of the obstacles it presented in making a diagnosis due to its endemicity of tuberculosis. The case actually had a complicated clinical picture with KFD's initial presentation of quadriplegia. Hence, the list of differential diagnosis should include KFD as one of the uncommon causes. Timely recognition and appropriate management of KFD can prevent unnecessary treatments and improve patient outcomes.