[Kimura's disease of the lymph node. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and differential diagnosis]

Kimura's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of unknown cause, occurs predominantly in young Asian adult men. The disease involves subcutaneous tissues and lymph nodes in the head and neck region. We report a new case occurring in a young woman. The diagnosis was made late on a retroauricular lymph node examination. Immunohistochemical study showed that B lymphoid area remained, located in the germinal center showing some fibrosis involvement, and in the subcortex. T lymphoid zones were observed in the paracortex. Strong IgE positivity was noted in germinal centers. Vessels were positive with CD31, CD34, factor VIII and smooth muscle actin antibodies. Warthin-Finkeldey cells were negative for lymphoid and macrophagic markers used in this study. Differential diagnosis is discussed.