[Cutaneous-lymph node Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease].

INTRODUCTION: The subacute necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis was reported for the first time in 1972 in Japan by Kikuchi and by Fujimoto and his colleagues. This idiopathic disease can affect the skin. We report a case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease with skin and lymph node involvement.

OBSERVATION: The Yemani man developed cervical lymphadenitis and arciform papulo-nodular lesions of the face. The histologic examination revealed a necrotizing lymphadenitis with blast cells but devoid of neutrophils. The cutaneous involvement corresponded to an angiocentric infiltration by mononuclear cells among which plasmacytoid cells and caryorrhexis were recognized. A spontaneous resolution of the disease occurred spontaneously within three months.

COMMENTARY: The clinical and histologic aspects of the present case resemble in part the presentation of lupus erythematosus. However, some distinctive features suggest Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease cannot be termed a classical type of lupus erythematosus.