Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease:
A 32-year-old man from Visakhapatnam, who had recurrent lymph node swelling for nearly six years and was repeatedly treated for suspected tuberculosis, has finally been diagnosed with rare Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease recently.
- Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenopathy, is a rare inflammatory disorder of the lymph nodes.
- It causes swollen, painful lymph nodes that most often develop in neck (cervical lymphadenopathy), along with fever and fatigue.
- It most often affects people aged 30 and under.
- It can closely mimic tuberculosis and lymphoma.
- The cause of KFD remains unclear, but both viral infections and autoimmune mechanisms have been suggested as potential triggers.
- Usually, this disease does not cause severe problems and gets better on its own.
- However, in some people, it can be associated with autoimmune disorders, conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s cells and tissues.]
- There isn’t a specific cure, but certain medication can help to relieve symptoms, including:
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), for fever, pain, and headache.
- Corticosteroids may be used in severe cases to reduce swelling in lymph nodes.
