Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in Greece. A study of four cases and review of the literature.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a rare disease first described in 1972 by Kikuchi and Fujimoto et al. (1,2). Clinically the disease presents with lymphadenitis usually in the cervical region. Most reported cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease have been of Asian origin. The cause is unknown and the condition is self-limiting. Some kind of viral or postviral etiology has been implicated. Bacterial and protozoal organisms as well as various other antigens, chemical, physical and neoplastic, have also been postulated. An association with systemic lupus erythematosus has also been shown. Lymphadenitis, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly as well as leukopenia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hepatic abnormalities are common findings. Fever, malaise, fatigue, headache, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, cutaneous manifestations, and even neurological symptoms are other complaints. Histologically the lymph nodes show partial involvement with patchy irregular areas of necrosis in the paracortical area with absence of neutrophils. We describe four cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease observed in Greece. Their characteristics are discussed, whilst a review of the literature is attempted.