title: Case Series: raising awareness about Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease among otolaryngologists: is it linked to systemic lupus erythematosus?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, benign, self-limiting condition occasionally associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although rising in incidence, nonspecific symptoms make diagnosis difficult. We present a small case series and review the literature to increase awareness of this condition among otolaryngologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine cases of KFD were diagnosed between 2003 and 2006 at the McGill University Health Care institution by either excisional or fine-needle biopsy. Clinical and histologic features were reviewed in the context of a comprehensive analysis of the KFD literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven of nine cases are female, with a mean age of 27.2 years (range 18-35 years). Only one patient had systemic SLE predating KFD. Our results are comparable to those in the current literature regarding the association with SLE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present the first Canadian small case series and extensive review of the literature to highlight the clinical and pathologic features of this disease and its association with SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia. ppaceasc@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pace-Asciak
authors.forename: Mindy Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Rene P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kost
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D020042:Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult