An Overview of Disease and Health Research Vol. 6

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as Histiocytic Necrotising Lymphadenitis, is a benign and self-limited disease that mainly affects young women. Patients present with localised lymphadenopathy, fever, and leukopenia in up to half of the cases. It was first described by Dr Masahiro Kikuchi in 1972 and independently by Y. Fujimoto. This study describes a case of KFD, which was earlier misinterpreted as a space infection and its diagnosis and management. The study reports the case of a 45-year-old female who presented with pain and swelling in the right lower jaw region for two weeks. General examination revealed Mild cervical lymphadenopathy noted on the right side. Orthopantomogram (OPG) showed deep dentinal caries with respect to 47 and a horizontally impacted 48 with surrounding bone loss. MRI revealed multiple conglomerate necrotic lymph nodes in the right side of the neck from level 2 to level 5 with significant peripheral fat stranding and oedema- likely infective aetiology like tuberculosis. Although the exact cause of KFD is not well understood, viral infections and autoimmune mechanisms are believed to play a role. In most cases, KFD disease resolves spontaneously within a few months, and no specific antiviral or antimicrobial treatment is required. Early recognition is essential to avoid unnecessary invasive interventions or prolonged antimicrobial therapy.