Kimura’s Disease

Epidemiology

Kimura’s disease is an inflammatory disorder reported in Asian subjects. The disease usually affects the major salivary glands and neck nodes. Approximately 80% of cases occur in the second and third decades but the age range is wide (30 to 70 years). This disease has a male preponderance of > 80%.

Clinical Findings

Kimura’s disease occurs mainly in the head and neck and the most common clinical presentation is that of a painless mass or lymphadenopathy. Other regions involved include axilla, groin, popliteal region, and forearm. Kimura’s disease may therefore be mistaken clinically as a malignant lesion.

Pathology

The histologic features are dense infiltration of eosinophils and proliferation of follicular structures. Varying degrees of small vessel proliferation and fibrosis can also be seen. Peripheral blood eosinophilia (10–70%) is an invariable feature of this entity. Increased IGE concentrations have also been observed.