Subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis is characterized by cervical lymphadenpathy in young patients and mistaken for malignant disease both clinically and histologically. Microscopically, there is a varying degree of effacement of the lymph node architecture and necrosis with an infiltrate of histiocytic cells and absence of polymorphs. We have experienced 4 cases of cervical lymphadenopathy accompanied by fever. All cases had complete recovery to conservative treatment only. The excised lymph nodes were moderately enlarged and typically showed varying degree of necrotizing lesions, and abundant karyorrhectic debris, scattered fibrin deposits, aggregates of large mononuclear cells, and a paucity of plasma cell and neutrophils. For investigating the etiology and pathogenesis of this lesion, further clinical study and stepwise pathologic and immunologic planning would be valuable.