Kimura's disease - An unusual presentation involving subcutaneous tissue, parotid gland and lymph node

Kimura's disease is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of uncertain etiology which has an affinity for the Asian population. It primarily involves the head and neck region, presenting as deep subcutaneous masses and is often accompanied by regional lymphadenopathy and salivary gland involvement. Peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels are characteristic features and the microscopic picture reveals lymphoid proliferation with eosinophilic infiltration. For years, Kimura's disease was believed to be identical to or part of the same disease spectrum as angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE). Recent reports, however, have confirmed that the two are, in fact, separate entities. We report a case of Kimura's disease in a 22-year-old Indian male who presented with a subcutaneous mass, parotid enlargement and lymphadenopathy. The clinical presentation was suggestive of Kimura's disease and microscopic examination following biopsy of the lesion allowed us to make a definitive diagnosis.