Ultrasonographic Differentiation Between Kikuchi's Disease and Lymphoma in Patients With Cervical Lymphadenopathy

January 31, 2012 updated by: Li-Jen Liao, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital
The purpose of this study is to differentiate Kikuchi's disease and malignant lymphoma by soft tissue ultrasound.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Detailed Description

Introduction Kikuchi's disease (KD) is a histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis that was described for the first time in Japan in 1972 almost simultaneously by Kikuchi and Fujimoto1-2. KD is a self-limited necrotizing lymphadenitis and occurs predominantly in females between 20 and 30 years old. Its main presentation is cervical lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis of KD is based on clinical manifestation, fine-needle aspiration cytology or excision biopsy. The pathological characteristics include patchy paracortical lymphohistiocytic aggregates with variable karyorrhexis and absence of granulocytic infiltration. Antibiotics are not helpful symptoms remit within six months spontaneously.

As KD is a benign and self-limiting disease, proper diagnosis may help avoid unnecessary treatment. KD can be easily confused clinically, pathologically, and radiologically with malignant lymphadenopathy, especially lymphoma. Several reports have described the CT characteristics of KD3-4, including enlarged, multiple lymph nodes that are homogeneously enhanced without evidence of gross necrosis. The CT appearance of Kikuchi's disease may be variable, thus mimicking lymphoma4. In previous work, the ultrasound appearance of KD has not been well-described and has been compared to lymphoma. In this study, we compared the sonographic characteristic of Kikuchi's disease and malignant lymphoma.

Patients and methods From November 2007 to September 2009, sonograms of twelve case notes with pathological diagnoses of Kikuchi's disease and twelve patients with malignant lymphoma were studied.

The sonograms were performed by the same sinologist (L-J Liao) using an ATL HDI 5000 with a high-resolution 7.5- to 12-MHz real-time linear-array transducer (Philips Ultrasound, Bothell, WA, USA). Morphological US parameters were thoroughly evaluated and recorded on the Marosis PACS system (Marotech Inc., Seoul, South Korea). The lengths of short and long axes of enlarged lymph nodes were measured and recorded. The shape of the lymph node was determined by the short axis to long axis ratio (S/L ratio). The nodal border was assessed for sharpness. Echogenicity of the lymph nodes was compared with that of adjacent muscles. Swelling of the surrounding tissues that presented with hyperechoic rims was assessed. The nodes were considered matted when a number of lymph nodes were clustered together. The internal architecture of lymph nodes was examined for the presence of heterogeneous micronodular pattern or reticulation.

Fisher's exact test and X 2 test were used to calculate the significance of the difference in gray-scale features. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to calculate the significance of the difference in nodal size and short- to long-axis ratio.

Expected Results:

We suppose that basic ultrasonographic characteristics (size, shape, rims, matting, and micronodular echotexture) help in the differentiation of cervical lymph nodes in patients with Kikuchi's disease and lymphoma. A precise diagnosis of KD is possible avoiding unnecessary biopsies or aggressive treatment.

References:

  1. Kikuchi M. Lymphadenitis showing focal reticulum cell hyperplasia with nuclear debris and phagocytosis. Nippon Ketsueki Kakkai Zasshi 1972;35:379-80.
  2. Fujimoto Y, Kozima Y, Yamaguchi K. Cervical subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis. A new clinicological entity. Naika 1972;376:247-53.
  3. Kwon S, Kim T, Kim Y, Lee K, Lee N, Seol H. CT findings in Kikuchi disease: analysis of 96 cases. American Journal of Neuroradiology 2004;25(6):1099.
  4. Na D, Chung T, Byun H, Kim H, Ko Y, Yoon J. Kikuchi disease: CT and MR findings. American Journal of Neuroradiology 1997;18(9):1729.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

40

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
      • Pan Chiao, Taipei, Taiwan
        • Recruiting
        • Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

3 years to 80 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

From November 2007 to September 20010, sonograms of eleven cases notes with pathological diagnoses of Kikuchi's disease and ten patients with malignant lymphoma were studied.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

From November 2007 to September 20010, pathological diagnoses of Kikuchi's disease & malignant lymphoma were studied sonograms available

Exclusion Criteria:

no pathology no sonograms

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Time Perspectives: Retrospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Kikuchi's disease
Malignant lymphoma

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Far Eastern Memorial Hospital

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Li-Jen Liao, MD, Department of Otolaryngology Far Eastern Memorial Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

December 1, 2010

Study Completion (Anticipated)

February 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 21, 2011

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 6, 2011

First Posted (Estimate)

March 9, 2011

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 2, 2012

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 31, 2012

Last Verified

January 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 099086-E

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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