KIKUCHI-FUJIMOTO DISEASE: THE FIRST CLINICAL OBSERVATION OF A RARE CASE IN KAZAKHSTAN

Relevance: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare underlying cause of benign lymphadenopathy, typically accompanied by fever and fatigue. Diagnosing this rare condition causes difficulties. Even though more than half a century has passed since the first described case, KFD is still hard to diagnose. Therefore it is of utmost importance to perform all the necessary diagnostic tests to avoid misdiagnosing and prescribing the wrong and often too-aggressive treatment. This article describes the first clinical case of KFD in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study aimed to share the clinical course and the specifics of a diagnostic search involving histological and immunohistochemical tests in KFD. Methods: The paper describes a clinical case of KFD. Results: We reported a case of KFD in a 35-year-old man who applied for cervical lymphadenopathy and fever. The diagnosis was made on histological and immunohistochemical analysis of a lymph node. Rapid regression of lymphadenopathy marked the evolution of the disease. Conclusion: This clinical observation describes a rare case of KFD; its cases have not been previously described in Kazakhstan. KFD is prone to the benign course and spontaneous regression. However, difficulties remain in KFD diagnosis since symptoms such as lymphadenopathy and fever more often resemble lymphoma or tuberculosis. Non-tumor lymphadenopathy can also produce high metabolic activity manifested by an intensive accumulation of radiopharmaceuticals, according to PET-CT. Clinicians should be highly suspicious of KFD in young patients with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever to avoid misdiagnosis.