KIKUCHIS DISEASE - A BENIGN LYMPHADENOPAT HY OF THE NECK

According to its morphological appearance, Kikuchi's disease is also c alled ''histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis''. This disorder was fir st described in Japan in 1972 as a benign lymphadenopathy of the neck. In Germany only a few cases have been reported by pathologists, where as most clinicians are unaware of the existence of this rare disease, which can easily be mistaken for malignant lymphoma. In 1993 three cas es of Kikuchi's lymphadenitis were treated at the ENT Department of th e University of Lubeck. Patients' ages ranged from 15 to 30 years old. Except for cervical adenopathy, findings in blood tests, viral serolo gy and radiological imaging were unremarkable. While fine needle aspir ations were suspicious for malignant lymphoma, a final diagnosis of se lf-limiting ''Kikuchi's lymphadenitis'' was established histologically from excised lymph nodes. In our opinion early extirpation of lymph n odes and consultation of a pathologist are necessary to make a correct diagnosis without delay. Thus, in patients with Kikuchi's lymphadenit is unnecessary staging procedures and treatment can be avoided.