A Case of Eosinophilic Lymphfolliculosis of the Skin (Kimura's Disease)

Abstract

Eosinophilic lymphfolliculosis of the skin (Kimura's disease) in a 31-year-old male is reported. He had two subcutaneous tumors, 10 x 9 x 3 cm and 9 x 7 x 2 cm in size, in the right retroauricular and submaxillary areas respectively. Histopathologic examination of the tumors showed marked infiltration of eosinophils, mast cells and lymphocytes, and angiomatous proliferation of blood vessels from the dermis to the skeletal muscular tissue. In subcutaneous adipose tissue, there were numerous lymphfollicles with germinal centers in which IgE deposition with reticular appearance was observed by immunofluorescent technique. Study of the peripheral blood showed marked eosinophilia and an increase of serum IgE level. These findings suggest the possibility that Type 1 allergic reaction may be involved in the histogenesis of eosinophilic lymphfolliculosis of the skin, although there is no direct evidence for the existence of antigens which react to IgE antibody in the skin lesion.