An unusual association between splenectomy and Kikuchi s disease

Authors

• Nidal A. Younes, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, PO Box 13024. Amman 11942, Jordan. Fax: +9626 5353388. E-mail: niyounes{at}ju.edu.jo
• Maysa A. Al-Hussaini, Department of Pathology, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan.

Abstract

Kikuchi s disease is a clinico-pathologic entity of unknown etiology characterized by subacute inflammatory process of lymph nodes. It affects mostly women around the age of 30 years. It is usually a self limiting illness characterized by pyrexia, neutropenia, and cervical lymphadenopathy. We report a case of Kikuchi s disease in a patient with past history of splenectomy. A 35-year-old otherwise healthy female patient presented with 15 days history of fever, night sweats, and right cervical lymphadenopathy. She was on no medication and had no contact with animals or patients with tuberculosis. Her past history revealed splenectomy for thrombocytopenia 14 years before presentation. Lymphoma was suspected and she was referred for a cervical lymph node biopsy. The final histopathology diagnosis revealed subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis consistent with Kikuchi s disease. This is the first case of Kikuchi s disease presenting in a post splenectomy patient.

Article Type

Case Report

First Page

992

Last Page

994

Recommended Citation

Younes, Nidal A. and Al-Hussaini, Maysa A. (2005) "An unusual association between splenectomy and Kikuchi s disease," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 26: Iss. 6, Article 19.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.3010