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Description
A 36-year-old woman presented after a first generalised tonic–clonic seizure. On clinical examination, prominent cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy was noted. Brain MRI showed diffuse, partially enhancing, hyperintense lesions (figure 1). An axillary lymph node biopsy revealed typical findings of histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, compatible with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (figure 2).1 Laboratory studies showed positive antinuclear antibodies, low complement levels and pancytopenia. In the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), lymphocytic pleocytosis (34/μL), elevated lactate (3.3 mmol/L) and protein (104 mg/dL) levels were noted. Investigations for lymphoma were negative. Furthermore, negative serological and PCR findings for Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and HIV were found. Interferon-gamma release assay and PCR for tuberculosis, along with serological investigations for toxoplasmosis and syphilis, were negative. The cytological examination of the CSF revealed activated lymphocytes and plasma cells. CSF and blood cultures remained negative. On diagnostic evidence of pericarditis and a positive history for photosensitivity and arthralgia, the diagnosis of a central nervous system (CNS) manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus was made.2 Two months after intense immunosuppressive therapy with methylprednisolone, rituximab and cyclophosphamide, the patient’s clinical and paraclinical findings improved markedly.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, or histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign and self-limited disease, affecting mainly young women and presenting with localised lymphadenopathy, fever and leucopenia in the majority of the reported cases.1 The aetiology of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease remains unknown. The hallmark histopathological feature is a histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, characterised by necrotic and/or histiocytic cellular infiltrates within the lymph node, often accompanied by invasion of the node capsule and inflammation of the perinodal tissue. The present report illustrates that histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, morphologically identical to Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, may occur in association with systemic lupus erythematosus. As no effective treatment has been established for Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, clinical awareness of the overlapping features of the two disorders is crucial for the prompt diagnosis and early initiation of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with concomitant systemic lupus erythematosus.
Learning points
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, or histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign and self-limited disorder of unknown origin.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease may occur in association with systemic lupus erythematosus.
High clinical awareness is warranted for early diagnosis and treatment initiation in patients with concomitant systemic lupus erythematosus, presenting with histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of Dr Hennersdorf in reporting the imaging studies.
Footnotes
Contributors MIS: case report conception, organisation and execution; writing of the first draft, review and finalisation, treating physician. GO: conduction and analysis of the pathological study, critical review of the manuscript. UZ: supervision, critical review and finalisation of the manuscript. AM: case report conception, organisation and execution, treating physician and coordinator of the project.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.