Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto: report of two histologic forms from one patient

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, also known as Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a rare self-limited condition of young adults usually misdiagnosed as malignant hematologic disease. The diagnosis depends on microscopic findings. Two histologic types are classically described, proliferative and necrotic types. This is a case report of 17 year-old girl who presented cervical lymphadenopathy. The first lymph node biopsy was in favor of malignant lymphoma. The second lymph node biopsy, done one month later, showed typical histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the two forms of this disease are described in the same patient.