Vizag man with rare Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease treated at KIMS

In 2020, a 32-year-old man from Visakhapatnam sought medical attention at KIMS Hospitals, Seethammadhara after experiencing recurring swelling of his lymph nodes for nearly six years. Despite being initially treated for suspected tuberculosis, his symptoms persisted and even worsened, leading to further misdiagnoses of lymphoma.

Dr Konathala Surendra, consultant pulmonologist at KIMS Hospitals, explained that the patient's fever and swollen lymph nodes persisted despite four weeks of treatment, and he developed oral ulcers and abnormal blood count. Negative microbiological investigations for tuberculosis prompted a reassessment of the diagnosis. In 2022, the patient experienced another episode of lymph node swelling, which again led to treatment for tuberculosis.

In 2026, he returned to KIMS Hospitals with painful swelling in his right axilla. After ruling out tuberculosis, other infections, and lymphoma through extensive evaluation, including lymph node biopsy, blood investigations, and immunological tests, the medical team confirmed the diagnosis of Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease. Dr Konathala Surendra emphasized the importance of not solely relying on granulomatous changes in lymph nodes for diagnosis, as the histopathology needs to be interpreted alongside microbiological, immunological, and clinical findings. The patient has completed treatment and was discharged in a stable condition.