A rare cause of cervical lymphadenopathy in childhood

Czech version

Authors: Jan Volf ¹; Jana Lhotská ¹; Václav Eis ²; Ľudmila Verešpejová ³; Hana Malíková ⁴; Markéta Racková ⁵; Jan David ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika dětí a dorostu, 3. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady, Praha ¹; Ústav patologie, 3. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady, Praha ²; Otorinolaryngologická klinika, 3. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady, Praha ³; Klinika radiologie a nukleární medicíny, 3. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady, Praha ⁴; Klinika dětské hematologie a onkologie, 2. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Fakultní nemocnice Motol, Praha ⁵
Published in: Čes-slov Pediat 2026; 81 (2): 104-108.
Category: Case Report
doi: https://doi.org/10.55095/CSPediatrie2026/013

Overview

Volf J, Lhotská J, Eis V, Verešpejová Ľ, Malíková H, Racková M, David J. A rare cause of cervical lymphadenopathy in childhood

The differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy in children is broad, with infectious and benign causes accounting for the majority of cases. This makes it particularly challenging to recognize more serious or rare conditions. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign, and self-limiting disorder first described in the 1970s. It predominantly affects young adults and often mimics infectious or autoimmune conditions. Due to its rarity, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease poses a diagnostic challenge in the paediatric population. In this case report, we present the clinical course, diagnostic process and therapeutic considerations in a paediatric patient diagnosed with this uncommon condition.

Keywords:

multidisciplinary approach – differential diagnosis – Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease – histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis

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