Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease presenting as acute cerebellar ataxia

Abstract

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign and self-limiting condition primarily affecting the cervical lymph nodes. Central nervous system involvement with acute cerebellar symptoms is a rare presentation in KFD. We report a 15-year-old girl presenting with intentional tremor, dysarthria and gait ataxia following episodes of recurrent fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis of KFD was made based on histopathology. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed lesions in mid-pons and bilateral middle cerebellar peduncles. The patient's symptoms spontaneously resolved without any sequelae. A diagnosis of KFD should be considered when enlarged cervical lymphnodes are observed in patients with acute cerebellar symptoms. Selective inflammation of cerebellum and related structures by viral or immunological responses may be attributed to this rare presentation in KFD.

Keywords

Hemophagocytosis - cervical lymphadenopathy - cerebellar ataxia