Kikuchi Disease in Elderly: Report of a Rare Disease in an Unusual Age

Elnaz Sahebi; Sahar Karimpour Reyhan; Mahsa Abbaszadeh; Nasim Khajavi Rad

doi:10.18502/crcp.v7i1.9625

Elnaz Sahebi Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sahar Karimpour Reyhan Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahsa Abbaszadeh Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nasim Khajavi Rad Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/crcp.v7i1.9625

Keywords: Kikuchi disease; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Fever; Lymphadenopathy; Elderly

Abstract

Kikuchi disease is a benign, self-limited, and rare condition presented mainly by lymphadenopathy and fever. Kikuchi disease is more common in women, especially women under 40. We report a 63-year-old Iranian woman presenting with long-term fever, constitutional symptoms, and cervical lymphadenopathy. A lymph node biopsy was done for her, and the diagnosis of Kikuchi disease was confirmed. Kikuchi disease is a self-limited condition with a good prognosis that can resolve with no specific treatment within a few weeks. Still, some patients are at risk of recurrence and development of SLE and Lymphoma. Our patient was treated with a low dose of glucocorticoids. On 6 month follow-up, she had no signs and symptoms of recurrence and no evidence of SLE development. The interesting point of this case is the clinical picture and her age of presentation.