home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
/
CDRT.iso
/
dp
/
0390
/
03903.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-01-17
|
8KB
|
183 lines
$Unique_ID{BRK03903}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Kikuchi's Disease}
$Subject{Kikuchi's Disease Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis HNL
Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Kikuchi's Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis
Necrotizing Lymphadenitis Burkitt's Lymphoma Hodgkin Disease Malignant
Lymphoma }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1992 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
861:
Kikuchi's Disease
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Kikuchi's Disease) is
not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
alternate name and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis
HNL
Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease
Kikuchi's Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis
Necrotizing Lymphadenitis
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Burkitt's Lymphoma
Hodgkin Disease
Malignant Lymphoma
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The Information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Kikuchi's Disease is a rare noncancerous disorder in which there are
lesions that typically affect the lymph nodes in the neck of young adults.
This disorder is often mistaken for malignant Lymphoma because the symptoms
are very similar. The lesions, or tissue abnormalities in this disorder
cause the lymph nodes to become enlarged, inflamed and painful. The exact
cause of Kikuchi's Disease is not known.
Symptoms
Kikuchi's Disease is a rare nonmalignant disorder that affects the lymph
nodes. The lymph nodes are small oval structures that filters lymph fluid
that draws from organs and tissues, fight infection and form white blood
cells and blood plasma cells. In Kikuchi's Disease lymph nodes on the side
of the neck and near the salivary glands are affected.
The lymph nodes may be swollen, hard, painful and tender. The patient
may have a fever and pain in the area of the affected lymph nodes.
The abnormal tissue growths and inflammation in Kikuchi's Disease
normally clear up within a few weeks or months without treatment.
Causes
The exact cause of Kikuchi's Disease is not known. Many researchers suspect
that a virus may cause this disorder.
Affected Population
Kikuchi's Disease is an extremely rare disease. There have been less than 50
cases reported in the medical literature. This disorder particularly affects
young adults. Kikuchi's Disease was originally identified in Japan in 1972.
Kikuchi's Disease may be more prevalent than has been previously recorded
due to the fact that swollen glands are fairly common and ignored by many
people. Since this disorder can only be determined by a biopsy of the tissue
in the affected lymph nodes, it may be overlooked by many unsuspecting
patients.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Kikuchi's
Disease. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Burkitt's Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system that affects the
lymph nodes as well as other areas of the body. Tumors may occur in the
kidneys, sex glands, jaw, bone marrow, or central nervous system as well as
the lymph nodes. Burkitt's Lymphoma may be infectious. This disorder occurs
often in children living in Central Africa, and is associated with the
Epstein-Barr virus.
Hodgkin's Disease is a form of cancer of the lymphatic system, especially
the lymph nodes. Tumors occur in the lymph nodes. Fever, night sweats and
weight loss may occur along with swollen lymph nodes. Examination of the
affected lymph node tissue by a pathologist shows the presence of a type of
cell called Reed-Sternberg cells. The exact cause of Hodgkin's Disease is
not known. (For more information on this disorder choose "Hodgkin" as your
search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Malignant Lymphoma is a tumor of the lymphoid tissue that is cancerous.
Lymphoid tissue contains a type of white blood cell (lymphocyte) in its
spaces. The cell structure varies in the various types of lymphomas, but the
effects of these tumors are usually similar. The appearance of large lymph
nodes in the neck is usually followed by fever, weakness, weight loss and
anemia. When there is widespread involvement of the lymphoid tissue, the
spleen and liver may also enlarge.
The following conditions have been associated with Kikuchi's Disease in
some patients. They are not necessary for a differential diagnosis:
Pancytopenia - a reduction in the number of red and white blood cells and
platelets in the circulating blood.
Splenomegaly - an abnormal enlargement of the spleen.
Still's Disease - also called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis or Rheumatic
Arthritis, is a form of arthritis that usually affects the larger joints of
children. It may also occur in adulthood. The patient may have a high
intermittent fever, rash, inflammation of several thin sheets of tissue that
line certain areas of the body (serous membranes), a disease process that
affects the lymph nodes (Lymphadenopathy), enlargement of the liver and
spleen, an abnormal increase in the number of circulating white blood cells
(leukocytosis), and a decrease in red cells in the blood (anemia). This
disorder is often mistaken for leukemia or an infection. (For more
information on this disorder, please choose "Rheumatic Arthritis" as your
search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Kikuchi's Disease is symptomatic and supportive. Usually the
disorder resolves itself spontaneously within a few weeks or months.
Kikuchi's Disease is diagnosed by removing tissue with a fine needle that is
attached to a syringe. The tissue is then examined under a microscope to
determine if the patient has the disease.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through April
1992. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Kikuchi's Disease, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5717
References
KIKUCHI-FUJIMOTO DISEASE MIMICKING MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA: G.A. Chamulak, et
al., Am J Surg Pathol (June 1990, issue 14(6)). Pp. 514-23.
NECROTIZING LYMPHADENITIS (KIKUCHI'S DISEASE). REPORT OF FOUR CASES OF
AN UNUSUAL PSEUDOLYMPHOMATOUS LESION AND IMMUNOLOGIC MARKER STUDIES: P.D.
Unger, et al.; Arch Pathol Lab Med (November 1987, issue 111(11)). Pp.
1031-4.
CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF KIKUCHI'S HISTIOCYTIC NECROTIZING
LYMPHADENITIS: T.T. Kuo; Am J Surg Pathol (September 1990, issue 14(9)).
Pp. 872-6.
KIKUCHI-FUJIMOTO DISEASE MIMICKING MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA: G.A. Chamulak, et
al.; Am J Surg Pathol (June 1990, issue 14(6)). Pp. 514-23.
NECROTISING LYMPHADENITIS WITHOUT GRANULOCYTIC INFILTRATION (KIKUCHI'S
DISEASE): M.H. Ali, et al.; J Clin Pathol (November 1985, issue 38(11)).
Pp. 1252-7.