Kimura disease: review of the literature

Abstract

Kimura disease (KD) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause and is characterized by painless s.c. swellings and lymphadenopathy commonly affecting the head and neck region. Much therapeutics has been used to treat KD, but is not satisfactory because of frequent relapse. Imatinib has been reported previously to be useful for treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome and may work by selectively blocking protein-tyrosine kinases, such as platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and c-Kit. We carried out immunohistochemical examination of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha and c-Kit in tissues from patients with KD. The results were positive and suggested that Imatinib might be an effective drug for the treatment of the disease. We have also briefly reviewed the epidemiology, aetiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory and pathological examinations, differential diagnoses, treatment and prognosis of KD in this manuscript.

Kimura’s Disease: A Case Report in a Child

“…The exact prevalence of Kimura's disease is not known. Most cases of this rare disease are reported in East and Southeast Asia, with a small number of cases reported in Europe [7]. Kimura's disease is a benign disorder with no potential for malignant transformation, but spontaneous involution is rare.…”

“…• Imatinib may be effective treatment for Kimura's disease, based on advances in research for therapy in hypereosinophilic syndrome, but further investigation is necessary [7].…”

Kimura’s Disease: Report of a Case & Review of Literature

“…Also oral retinoids, pentoxifylline, cyclosporine, azathioprine and imatinib have been used for the treatment. Imatinib may act by selectively blocking protein-tyrosine kinases [10]. Steroids when administered systemically arrests progression of the disease considerably.…”

Angiolymphoide Hyperplasie mit Eosinophilie und Morbus Kimura – ein klinischer und histopathologischer Vergleich

“…Als Trigger der reaktiv-lymphoiden Proliferation werden parasitäre Erreger diskutiert; aber auch eine autoimmunologische Genese scheint möglich [12]. Der Morbus Kimura tritt gehäuft bei Männern asiatischer Herkunft im Alter um 30 Jahren auf, wird aber auch bei Frauen sowie in anderen ethnischen Gruppen beobachtet.…”

“…Klinisch charakteristisch sind tiefe, in der Subkutis lokalisierte Schwellungen und eine regionale Lymphadenopathie. Speichel-und Tränendrüsen können ebenso wie die Mund-und Nasenschleimhäute mitbetroffen sein; Veränderungen der Cutis werden in der Regel nicht beobachtet [9,12]. Üblicherweise fehlen systemische Symptome wie Fieber, Nachtschweiß oder Gewichtsabnahme; allerdings ist eine Assoziation zum nephrotischen Syndrom beschrieben worden [4].…”