Kikuchi-Fujimoto Diseasae: An Important Differential of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also called necrotising histiocytic lymphadenitis, is a rare disease of usually benign outcome. A case of a 21-year female is reported here. She presented with high grade fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. She was started on anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) with suspicion of tuberculous lymphadenitis as she had very strong history of tubercular (TB) contact. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease was diagnosed after cervical lymph node biopsy, thus ATT was stopped. She was treated with oral steroids and complete recovery was made. Of significant note, two of patient's siblings were treated for pulmonary TB, because of which she had strong history of direct TB contact. Although a few cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease have been reported in Pakistan, this is first case being reported in setting of very strong positive history of TB contact. Key Words: Lymphadenitis, Tuberculosis, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.