Histopathologic findings of necrotizing lymphadenitis

Necrotizing lymphadenitis was first recognised as a self-limiting lymphadenitis by Japanese workers in 1972. It is a distinct clinicopathologic entity, but can be mistaken as malignant lymphoma. We have studied clinicopathologic features in 15 cases of necrotizing lymphadenitis. This disease occurs predominantly in young adult. Male-female ratio is 2 : 1. The commonest presentation is lateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Pain, tenderness, and fever can be seen. Biopsy of the lymph nodes from all patients demonstrates the characteristic histologic features : multifocal, relatively circumscribed nodules in the cortex and/or paracortex, consisting of a mixture of activated large lymphoid cells, histiocytes and small lymphocytes. Numerous karyorrhetic debris are present. Neutrophils and plasma cells are strikingly absent.