Bilateral swelling of the salivary glands and sicca symptoms: an unusual differential diagnosis-Kimura's disease, a rare allergic condition with a high IgE serum level-a case report and review of the literature

RMD Open. 2023 May;9(2):e003135. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003135.

Abstract

A 68-year-old woman presented with bilateral swelling of the salivary glands, sicca symptoms of eyes and mouth, itching, fatigue and weight gain of about 5 kg in the last 2-3 years. As part of a careful diagnostic work up including lab tests for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmatic antiobodies (ANCA), immunoglobulin (Ig)G4, a whole body computed tomography (CT) and a parotid biopsy several rheumatic diseases such as Sjoegren's syndrome, IgG4-related disease and sarcoidosis were ruled out and, considering a very high titre of IgE, Kimura's disease was diagnosed. The case and a short review of the literature are presented.

Keywords: inflammation; sarcoidosis; sjogren's syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Kimura Disease* / pathology
  • Salivary Glands / pathology
  • Sarcoidosis*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E