Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease co-occuring with Hashimoto thyroiditis: A case report and literature review

Ann Clin Biochem. 2025 Jan;62(1):75-80. doi: 10.1177/00045632241280595. Epub 2024 Sep 10.

Abstract

We introduce a 16-year-old female who presented with tender cervical lymphadenopathy, prolonged fever, and hypothyroidism. After excluding common causes of fever of unknown origin, a surgical biopsy of cervical lymph nodes revealed Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. The patient showed improvement with a short-term course of NSAIDs. An increased titre of thyroperoxidase antibody led to a diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis during stable condition. This report underscores the importance of considering Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in the differential diagnosis of prolonged fever of unknown origin with lymphadenopathy and highlights the association with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, advocating for vigilance regarding hypothyroidism in long-term follow-up after Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease recovery.

Keywords: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease; fever of unknown origin; hypothyroidism; lymphadenopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hashimoto Disease* / complications
  • Hashimoto Disease* / diagnosis
  • Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis* / complications
  • Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis* / diagnosis
  • Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphadenopathy / pathology