Kikuchi disease

Synonyms and keywords: Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis

Overview
Kikuchi's disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis) is a rare, non-cancerous enlargement of the lymph nodes: the diagnosis can be confirmed by lymph node biopsy. It was originally described in Japan by Dr M. Kikuchi in 1972.

Cause

 * The cause for this disease has not been established.


 * Kikuchi's disease has been reported to be associated with infections such as:
 * epstein-Barr virus,
 * human herpesvirus 6,
 * toxoplasmosis, and
 * Human T-lymphotropic virus

Prognsis

 * Kikuchi's disease is a self limiting illness.


 * In most reported cases, it is common for the debilitating symptoms to last for half a year; however, the disease does return to some patients after time.

Clinical presentation
The clinical presentation is very similar symptoms to Hodgkin's lymphoma which has led to the misdiagnosis of some patients and resulting in dangerous cancer treatment to those suffering from Kikuchi's disease.

Symptoms:
The symptoms of Kikuchi's are the following:


 * Lymphadenopathy
 * Drenching night sweats
 * Fever
 * Bone-joint pain
 * Loss of appetite
 * Unexplained weight loss
 * General weakness
 * Fatigue
 * Mental unfocus

Treatment

 * The cause for this disease has not been established, and there is also no cure.
 * Kikuchi's patients are able to treat some symptoms and wait weeks to months before the symptoms of Kikuchi's has been suppressed.

Related chapters

 * For other causes of lymph node enlargement, see lymphadenopathy.