Kimura Disease of the Parotid Gland: Management Approach

Abstract

Here we present a 43-years old Malay man with Kimura’s disease of the right parotid gland. Asian men have a predisposition for this chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology mostly presenting at the head and neck region. The management in dealing with this patient is not straight forward as the presentation mimics a subcutaneous tumor-like mass in which main differential diagnosis includes lymphoproliferative disorders and parotid neoplasm. Moreover, cytological investigation is inadequate, and this necessitates the use intra-operative frozen section prior to tumor debulking. Without proper investigation, misdiagnosis can occur and potentially expose the patient to unnecessary extensive surgical procedures. Here we discuss step by step approach in managing this patient.