Kimura's disease of parotid gland presenting as solitary parotid swelling.

BACKGROUND: Kimura's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology commonly seen among orientals and characterized histologically by lymphatic follicles, vascular proliferation, and marked eosinophilic infiltration. It has a predilection for the head and neck region. The lesion is benign but can be mistaken to be a malignant lesion.

METHODS: Between January 1987 and December 1999, eight cases of Kimura's disease were treated at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. All the patients underwent surgical excision followed by initial high-dose steroid therapy and low-dose maintenance.

RESULTS: All the patients are men, seven belong to the Malay race and one is Chinese. The patients' ages at diagnosis are 18 to 46 years. All were initially seen with swelling in the parotid gland, ranging from 1 year to 20 years' duration. Pruritus of the overlying skin was seen in seven patients. Treatment by surgical excision and steroid therapy has led to no recurrences.

CONCLUSION: Kimura's disease of parotid gland is rare. It is a chronic inflammatory condition also called eosinophilic hyperplastic lymphogranuloma. Treatment by surgical excision and steroid therapy has led to no recurrences.