Clin Pediatr Hematol Oncol.  2017 Oct;24(2):144-147. 10.15264/cpho.2017.24.2.144.

A Case of Recurrent Steroid-dependent Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Successfully Treated with Hydroxychloroquine

• Jang KM
• Lee JM

• KMID: 2396017
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15264/cpho.2017.24.2.144

Abstract

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is known as a self-limiting disease. The most common symptoms include fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, and pain, but nonspecific symptoms such as joint pain, nausea, chills, diaphoresis, and diarrhea may also be present. Its clinical course is generally benign, and symptoms including fever disappear within several months without special treatment. Thus, there is no specific recommended treatment for patients with KFD. However, some patients suffer from prolonged fever or systemic symptoms such as splenomegaly, skin rash, arthralgia, and aseptic meningitis. Many studies have reported the effectiveness of corticosteroids in patients with prolonged fever and systemic symptoms. Our patient also responded favorably to steroids; however, the disease relapsed while tapering. Recently, some studies reported the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine (HC) in patients with KFD. Herein, we report successful treatment with HC in an adolescent patient with recurrent KFD dependent on steroids without any symptoms of autoimmune disease.

Keyword

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease; Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis; Hydroxychloroquine; Children; Lymphadenopathy

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Arthralgia
Autoimmune Diseases
Child
Chills
Diarrhea
Exanthema
Fever
Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis*
Humans
Hydroxychloroquine*
Lymphatic Diseases
Meningitis, Aseptic
Nausea
Splenomegaly
Steroids
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Hydroxychloroquine
Steroids