The case is reported of a woman aged 26 with painful swelling of the left cervical lymph nodes. These symptoms were preceded by paresthesias and pain at the left side of her body, especially the left leg and the left arm. A lymph node biopsy revealed the diagnosis of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease). Physical examination and laboratory data showed no other abnormalities. The patient recovered soon without any therapy. The morphological findings are described and a review of the literature is given.