A pseudo-tumoral form of Kikuchi's disease in children: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We report one case of a cervical pseudo-tumoral form of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi Fugimoto disease) occurring in a 13-year-old child. Diagnosis was made only by histology examination of an excision biopsy from one cervical lymph node. Spontaneous complete resolution occurred within 2 months. A review of the clinical and histological features in adults and children is presented. No difference was found between the two populations regarding these features. Differential diagnoses are malignant lymphoma, systematic lupus erythematosus and, in particular, Still's disease in children. The etiology of the disease is also discussed.