Kikuchi's disease as a presenting feature of mixed connective tissue disease.

Necrotising histiocytic lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease) is a recognised cause of benign lymphadenopathy. It has been reported in association with both adult Still's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). We report a case of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), in which biopsy of enlarged lymph nodes occurring as a presenting feature showed the characteristic features of Kikuchi's disease. This finding supports the belief that Kikuchi's disease and the autoimmune rheumatic disorders may share a common aetiology.