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.