Acute peritonsillar swelling: a unique presentation for Kawasaki disease in adolescence

We report the case of a 14-year-old man with unilateral peritonsillar swelling, airway compromise and fever. On physical examination, the patient was pyrexic with trismus, dysphonia, uvula deviation, exudative unilateral peritonsillar swelling and unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Attempts at aspirating the prominent peritonsillar region were unsuccessful. CT head and neck identified a large inflammatory mass arising from the left palatine tonsil. The patient was treated for presumptive peritonsillar abscess. After failing to respond to intravenous antimicrobials, he progressively developed the classical sequale of Kawasaki's Disease. Echocardiogram identified coronary arteritis. Intravenous immunoglobulin and high-dose aspirin were initiated and his clinical picture improved. Kawasaki's disease mimicking an acute infective process can pose a diagnostic dilemma. It is an uncommon differential in the adolescent population. Prompt recognition and initiation of appropriate therapy are imperative to minimise morbidity.