J Korean Soc Radiol.  2020 Nov;81(6):1486-1491. 10.3348/jksr.2020.0009.

Kikuchi Disease Manifesting as Multifocal Lymphadenopathy and Splenomegaly: Ultrasonography, CT, and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT Findings Mimicking Lymphoma

• Ha M
• Je BK
• Lee ES
• Lee SW

• KMID: 2509112
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2020.0009

Abstract

Kikuchi disease is a type of benign, self-limiting necrotizing lymphadenitis that occurs most commonly in young women and usually manifests as palpable cervical lymph nodes and fever. Patients with an unusual location of lymph node involvement can be misdiagnosed with malignant disease. Here, we report a case of Kikuchi disease in a 15-year-old girl presenting with persistent fever for 2 weeks. Imaging studies, including ultrasonography, CT, and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT, revealed splenomegaly and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, axilla, abdomen, retroperitoneum, and inguinal region. Laparoscopic excision of the celiac lymph nodes confirmed histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, also known as Kikuchi disease. Conservative treatment with corticosteroids improved the patient's condition.

Keyword

Kikuchi Disease; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis; Ultrasonography; Tomography; X-Ray Computed; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography