We report a typical case of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease). To our knowledge this is the first reported case in Denmark. Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a benign self-limiting disorder, which mainly involves the cervical lymph nodes. The disease commonly affects young women of Asian origin, but it is seen more and more often in other populations. Clinically and histologically it can be misdiagnosed as malignant lymphoma. The etiology is unknown.