Kukuchi-Fujimito disease

OBJECTIVE: Kukuchi-Fujimito disease is a rare, benign and self limiting condition, which usually presents with lymphadenopathy or fever of an unknown etiology, or both. Its rarity, as well as the similarity of its clinical features to other more common conditions, contribute to overlooking it in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with lymphadenopathy or fever of an unknown etiology.

METHODS: The study was carried out at Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All lymph node excisional biopsies received in the histopathology laboratory between 1989 and 1999 were evaluated and those diagnosed as Kukuchi-Fujimito disease were reviewed for clinical data and histological findings.

RESULTS: A total of 6 cases were diagnosed as Kukuchi-Fujimito disease out of 390 lymph node biopsies. All patients were young with an average age of 21.5 years and equal sex distribution. Enlarged cervical lymph nodes with or without fever were the most familiar presenting symptoms. Anemia and leukopenia were observed in 3 patients. There was no recurrence of the lymphadenopathy over a peroid of 1-12 years follow up.

CONCLUSION: Kukuchi-Fujimito disease although rare should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with lymphadenopathy as well as fever of an unknown origin. To obviate unnecessary investigations and therapeutic trials, these patients should undergo early lymph node biopsy which must be interpreted by an experienced pathologist.