Recent advance in clinical manifestations and differential diagnoses of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease involving nervous system

Histiocytic necrotic lymphadenitis is known as Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD). KFD is a systemic disease, which is characterized by fever, necrotizing lymphadenopathy and leukopenia. However, involvement of the central and peripheral nervous system is rare. It can present as aseptic meningitis, encephalomyelitis, peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar ataxia and tremor, which makes it difficult to be differentiated with other nervous system diseases. Our review summarizes the clinical manifestations and differential diagnoses of KFD involving nervous system in order to reduce misdiagnoses and mistreatments. Key words: Histiocytic necrotic lymphadenitis; Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease; Nervous system; Clinical manifestation; Differential diagnosis