Definition:
Kikuchi Disease is a rare lymph node disorder causing large and inflamed lymph nodes. It is not cancerous. It is also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis; which was first identified in 1972 by Dr. M.Kikuchi in Japan.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of Kikuchi Disease is confirmed by means of lymph node biopsy.
Treatment:
There is still no known cure for Kikuchi Disease; however, some symptoms can be treated but need to wait long for the symptoms to be masked up. Intolerable symptoms can persist for 6 months; in spite of this, Kikuchi Disease can still reappear to some of the patients within a period of time.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of Kikuchi Disease and Hodgkin's lymphoma are identical; this similarity has led to misdiagnosis and worse of all, unsafe cancer treatments to patients inflicted with Kikuchi Disease.
Kikuchi Disease-inflicted individuals manifest the following symptoms:
* Fever
* Musculoskeletal pain (bone and joint pain)
* Inexplicable weight loss
* Fatigue
* General weakness
* Unidentifiable skin eruptions (exanthema)
* Reduced neutrophils in the blood
* Enlarged/swollen lymph nodes
* Painful lymph nodes
* Soaking/drenching night sweats
* Inability to focus mentally
Causes:
The causative factor for Kikuchi Disease has not yet been recognized.
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