Histology-Independent Signature Distinguishes Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease/Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Associated Lymphadenitis From Benign and Malignant Lymphadenopathies

Differential diagnosis of pediatric cervical lymph node lesions based on simple clinical features

This study aims to to establish a diagnosis model based on simple clinical features for children with cervical histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis or malignant lymphoma. Simple clinical features of pediatric patients were analyzed to develop a diagnosis model based on a comparison of classical machine-learning algorithms. This was a single-center retrospective study in a tertiary pediatrics hospital. Pediatric patients treated for cervical histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis or malignant lymphoma treated at our institution in recent 5 years were included. Demographic data and laboratory values were recorded and binary logistics regression analysis was applied to select possible predictors to develop diagnostic models with different algorithms. The diagnostic efficiency and stability of each algorithm were evaluated to select the best one to help establish the final model. Eighty-three children were included with 45 cases of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis and 38 cases of malignant lymphoma. Peak temperature, white blood cell count, monocyte percentage, and urea value were selected as possible predictors based on the binary logistics regression analysis, together with imaging features already reported (size, boundary, and distribution of mass). In the ten-round random testing sets, the discriminant analysis algorithm achieved the best performance with an average accuracy of 89.0% (95% CI 86.2-93.6%) and an average AUC value of 0.971 (95% CI 0.957-0.995).

CONCLUSION

A discriminant analysis model based on simple clinical features can be effective in differential diagnosis of cervical histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis and malignant lymphoma in children. Peak body temperature, white blood cell count, and short diameter of the largest mass are significant predictors.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Several multivariate diagnostic models for HNL and ML have been proposed based on B-ultrasound or CT features in adults. • The differences between children and adults are nonnegligible in the clinical featues of HNL.

WHAT IS NEW

• The study firstly report a large-sample diagnostic model between the HNL and MLin pediatric patients. • Non-imaging clinical features has also been proven with quite good diagnostic value.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, a rare benign disease with atypical histomorphology: more than meets the eye

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign self-limiting condition primarily affecting young females. It usually presents with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy of unknown aetiology with a preponderance of the Asian population. Histopathology is critical in making an accurate diagnosis. While the typical microscopic features include paracortical necrosis with debris, histiocytosis with immunoblasts, and absent neutrophils, rarely, KFD can show atypical features like marked immunoblastic proliferation mimicking lymphoma, demonstrate vasculitis mimicking lupus erythematosus, etc. The diagnosis is extremely challenging if such features occur in cases with generalised lymphadenopathy, which is infrequent in KFD. The study aims to describe the morphological, clinical, and immunohistochemical features of KFD and determine the frequency of the atypical features. We also analysed the subtle histological and immunohistochemical features that aid in the diagnosis of atypical cases. Cases reported as KFD over a period of 6 years were retrieved from the archives of histopathology. The morphological features were categorised as typical and atypical. In the atypical cases, the features that aided in the correct diagnosis of KFD were analysed. Out of the 42 cases evaluated, 23.9% (n=10) had generalised lymphadenopathy; 57.2% (n=24) were women with a median age of 25 years. Leukopenia was observed in 42% (n=13) of patients. Typical features were present in 76.2% (n=32) cases and 23.8% (n=10) presented with atypical features. Eight cases were antinuclear antibody-positive. Atypical features included five (50%) cases with vasculitis and panniculitis, and three (30%) cases with large, atypical cells for which immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed. In two of these cases, the patent sinuses, absence of neutrophils, and IHC with CD68 aided the diagnosis. There is an overlap of clinical and histopathological features between KFD and malignant lymphomas and systemic lupus erythematosus. Given the fact that the atypical features (23.8%) are not rare occurrences in KFD, correlations with clinical findings and ancillary studies are essential to avoid misdiagnosis and inadvertent therapy.

Castleman disease presenting as lymphadenopathy in a female with systemic lupus erythematosus: A rare case report

Castleman disease is an infrequent disease that affects the lymph nodes and related tissues. The condition may manifest with lymphadenopathy, characterized by the enlargement of the lymph nodes, alongside additional symptoms such as high fever, nocturnal sweating, exhaustion, and loss of body mass. The diagnosis of Castleman disease typically entails a multifaceted approach that includes a physical examination, imaging modalities, and a biopsy of the lymph nodes that are affected. The selection of treatment modalities is contingent upon the classification and extent of the disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been identified as a potential risk factor for the development of lymphoma, a condition that may manifest with lymphadenopathy resembling Castleman disease. Hence, it is crucial for individuals diagnosed with SLE and exhibiting lymphadenopathy to undergo a comprehensive assessment to exclude the possibility of any other associated disease. Although lymphadenopathy is a common symptom shared by both Castleman illness and SLE, these diseases have distinct etiologies and are treated in different ways. Seeking advice from a healthcare practitioner is crucial in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. A 39-year-old female patient with a history of SLE since 18 years ago and lupus nephritis since 6 years ago which treated with Mycophenolic Acid 2 g daily, Hydroxychloroquine 400 mg daily, and low doses of Prednisolone. Also, Mycophenolic Acid has discontinued for her 5 months ago due to the reduction of proteinuria and the control of the disease. Although the association of Castleman Disease with SLE is infrequent, establishing a connection between them could prove advantageous in the treatment and etiology of diseases.

Ankylosing spondylitis with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: A case report with literature review

We present the case of a patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) along with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), possibly triggered by infection or autoimmunity. Both AS and KFD involved a similar immune pathway. Hence, clinicians should consider the possibility of KFD when lymphadenopathy is observed, especially in patients with infection or underlying autoimmune diseases.

Diagnostics différentiels de la maladie de Castleman

Clinicians are sometimes confronted with the diagnostic difficulties of the idiopathic form of Castleman's Disease (iMCD). As this review reports with demonstrative clinical cases, iMCD can mimic various serious systemic pathologies such as certain autoimmune diseases, Still's disease, POEMS syndrome, and malignant lymphoproliferations, sharing a very similar histology and identical symptoms. To make a diagnosis of iMCD, the clinician must eliminate all the pathologies mentioned above, but he must first think of it and evoke this diagnosis of rare disease before the first symptoms but also know how to evoke this diagnosis again even after several years of evolution of a disease like those mentioned above whose evolution is not favorable. © 2022 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Société nationale française de médecine interne (SNFMI).

Systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with Castleman disease: a case-based review

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex, chronic, multi-systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by miscellaneous clinical findings. Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder that may present with systemic symptoms. Herein, a SLE case complicated with CD is reported by comparing her clinical findings with previously reported patients. We reviewed the literature regarding cases of "Castleman disease" and "Systemic lupus erythematosus" by searching medical journal databases in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science. A case of a 16-year-old girl with SLE who had intraabdominal lymphadenopathy detected both by ultrasonography and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging is presented. The excision of the lymph node was performed by pediatric surgeons. Histopathological examination was compatible with CD. Hydroxychloroquine and steroid treatments were started after the operation. She achieved remission in 3 months. In the literature research, we found 10 articles describing 17 patients. To our best of knowledge, the presented case was the third pediatric case in the literature with SLE and coexistent CD. This case report and literature review suggests that CD should be considered while evaluating and following patients with autoimmune diseases.