Painful indurated erythema suggestive of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in a patient with primary Sjögren's syndrome

J Dermatol. 2003 Aug;30(8):608-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2003.tb00443.x.

Abstract

We report a patient with primary Sjögren's syndrome who developed pyrexia, cervical lymphadenopathy, and painful indurated erythema on the forehead, back, chest, abdomen, and limbs. Laboratory data showed an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and CH50 in addition to existing autoantibodies including anti-nuclear antibody, anti SS-A antibody, and anti SS-B antibody. A skin biopsy specimen showed focal infiltration of histiocytes with non-neutrophilic karyorrhetic debris in the dermis and subcutaneous fat tissue. Immunohistochemically the infiltrated cells were stained for CD68, suggesting cutaneous involvement of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. All symptoms and laboratory data improved within three weeks after treatment with 20 mg/day of prednisolone. The present case suggests that a pathophysiological condition similar to Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease can develop during the long-term course of Sjögren's syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Erythema / etiology
  • Female
  • Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / etiology*
  • Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
  • CD68 antigen, human