A Clinical Study of Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis(Kikuchi's Disease)

Hong, Ki Hwan; Kim, Kwang Min; Park, Jeong Hun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The origin and clinical characteristic of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL), or Kikuchi's disease, are not well-known. This report was conducted to investigate clinical characteristics and treatment outcome in order to contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of HNL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed 28 patients with HNL by open biopsy during the past 8 years beginning January 1990 to December 1997 for the analysis of clinical features.
RESULTS
1) It occurred more often in females (17 cases: 61%) than males (11 cases: 39%). 2) It was seen relatively more often in the second decades showing 14 cases (50%). 3) Cervical lymphadenopathy appeared most common initial manifestation (16 cases: 57%), followed by cervical adenopathy with fever (12 case: 43%). 4) Cervical lymphadenopathy were usually multiple (22 cases; 79%) and tender (26 cases: 93%) rather than solitary (6 cases: 21%) and non-tender (2 cases: 7%) and in addition to cervical lymphadenopathy, some cases showed axillary and inguinal lymphadenopathy (2 cases: 7%). 6) Leukopenia and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates appeared most frequently in the abnormal laboratory data (16 cases: 57%). 7) Most patients recovered with the conser-vative treament and there was no specific complicatons and recurrence.
CONCLUSION
We should consider open biopsy or fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph node in patients who have cervical adenopathy with fever, chills, night sweats, especially young women under the 30 years.