Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease, A Case Report from Australia

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as Kikuchi’s disease or histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, is a rare and benign medical condition of unknown aetiology. It is often misdiagnosed as lymphoma or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), leading to inappropriate investigations and delayed treatment. It is thus important for clinicians to be cognizant of this condition when assessing patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. This case report outlines the clinical course and treatment of a 52-year-old Chinese woman who presented to her general practitioner (GP) and later the emergency department with cervical lymphadenopathy and general malaise. A lymph node biopsy revealed a diagnosis of KFD, and she was treated with prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine with full remission of symptoms after two months. Clinicians should hold a high degree of suspicion of KFD for young women who have cervical lymphadenopathy, especially those of oriental origin.