Kikuchi’s lymphadenitis /kēko̅o̅′chēz/ [M. Kikuchi, 20th-century Japanese pathologist] , a benign, self-limited syndrome of lymphadenopathy, usually in the neck, with a female predominance. Characteristics include patchy necrotizing lesions of the paracortex and proliferation of distinctive histiocytes, plasmacytoid monocytes, and lymphoblasts surrounded by karyorrhectic debris. Some consider it a self-limited form of systemic lupus erythematosus. Also called histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis, Kikuchi’s disease. See also systemic lupus erythematosus.
