[Kikuchi's disease and ocular manifestation].

OBJECTIVE

Report a case of oculomotor palsy with papillary edema in a child showing signs of Kikuchi's disease and review the literature.

METHODS

A 10-year-old girl presented with diplopia with right ptosis, right exophthalmia, headache, generalized weakness, and fever. The assessment consisted of an ocular and neurological examination, imagery by cerebral magnetic resonance, a biological and immunological assessment, and a biopsy.

RESULTS

The ophthalmologic examination found right exophthalmia with absence of right abduction and adduction, and right ptosis. The ocular fundus showed a bilateral papillary edema. Magnetic resonance revealed a bilateral intraconic attack of the orbital apex. The biopsy of cervical adenopathy showed a histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. Infection assessment was negative and immunologic tests were normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Kikuchi's disease, or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare disease in young patients that is characterized by adenopathy, fever, and neutropenia. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The etiology of Kikuchi's disease remains unknown, although a viral or autoimmune hypothesis has been suggested. The course of the disease is spontaneously favorable and recurrence is rare. Association with systemic lupus erythematous had been described. The differential diagnosis of Kikuchi's disease includes infectious necrotizing lymphadenitis, systemic lupus erythematous, and lymphoma. Ocular manifestation is exceptionally described (uveitis).

CONCLUSIONS

Kikuchi's disease should be considered in children revealing ocular manifestations with lymphadenopathy and fever of unknown origin.