Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis of the neck

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL) also known as Kikuchi or Kikuchi-Fujimato disease is a benign and self-limiting disease. The entity was first described in 1972 by Kikuchi and Fujimato in Japan independently. HNL is prevalent in Asia, although it may be seen in a wide geographic distribution. It commonly affects young women. Cervical lymphadenopathy is the most prominent symptom and should be differentiated from lymphoproliferative, autoimmune, and postinfectious diseases. Apoptosis is the main process, taking role in pathogenesis of the disease. Although it is a well-known entity among pathologists, little is written in ear, nose, and throat literature. In this study, we report 2 male patients with HNL presenting with enlarged cervical lymph nodes with a brief review of literature. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.