Kikuchi's disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis): A rare presentation with acute kidney injury, peripheral neuropathy, and aseptic meningitis with cutaneous involvement

Neurological manifestations and complications of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: A comprehensive systematic review

BACKGROUND

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a self-limiting inflammatory condition primarily affecting young and pediatric patients of Asian descent. This systematic review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the neurological manifestations associated with KFD.

METHODS

The present review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024579757). PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL Ultimate were searched to identify relevant studies. We included case reports and case series detailing neurological manifestations and complications of KFD of any age/gender.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 456 articles out of which seventy-five case reports and series were included, encompassing a total of 81 cases. The median age of the patients was 23 years (IQR: 15-30). Patients most frequently presented with fever, headache and signs of meningeal irritation. Most patients diagnosed with KFD showed signs of neurological complications at the initial presentation. Meningitis (commonly aseptic meningitis) was the most frequently reported neurological complication followed by encephalitis, encephalopathy and neuro-ophthalmological complications. All patients had lymphadenopathy and showed the characteristic histopathological picture for KFD on biopsy. Steroids and immunosuppressive agents remained the treatment of choice. Complication and symptom specific treatment for neurological findings was provided wherever deemed necessary. Almost every study reported an improvement in neurological complications post treatment.

CONCLUSION

Neurological manifestations and complications associated with KFD are diverse and have a significant impact on patients. The complications associated with KFD need to be promptly recognized and evaluated by clinicians. Further investigation into the long-term effects and treatment strategies for KFD is warranted.

Recurrent Aseptic Meningitis Associated with Kikuchi's Disease (Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis): A Case Report and Literature Review

We herein report a 31-year-old man with recurrent aseptic meningitis associated with Kikuchi's disease. Although aseptic meningitis is the most common neurological complication of Kikuchi's disease, its characteristics remain unclear, especially in recurrent cases. A literature review revealed that aseptic meningitis associated with Kikuchi's disease was more likely to occur in men and was associated with a low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum glucose ratio. Lymphadenopathy tended to occur simultaneously or after the onset of meningitis. When encountering a patient with aseptic meningitis of unknown etiology, it may be worthwhile to focus on the CSF/serum glucose ratio and lymphadenopathy with a careful examination.

Case Report: Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis (Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease) Concurrent With Aseptic Meningitis

Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign, self-limiting disease characterized by local lymphadenopathy. Central nervous system involvement in KFD is extremely rare and remains a diagnostic challenge. Only 41 cases of aseptic meningitis associated with KFD have been reported worldwide, with just four cases (including our case) of KFD with meningitis as the first symptom. We report a case of KFD accompanied by aseptic meningitis with severely high intracranial pressure (400 mmH₂O), increased white blood cell count (56 × 10⁶/L), and moderately elevated protein level (0.52 g/L). This case is unique in the delayed appearance of lymphadenopathy. After 1 month of treatment with steroids, fever, headache, and lymphadenopathy gradually disappeared, and the result of cerebrospinal fluid examination gradually became normal. In conclusion, based on our case findings and our literature review on KFD with aseptic meningitis, a diagnosis of KFD should be considered when delayed appearance of lymphadenopathy is observed in patients with aseptic meningitis.