Korean J Pediatr.  2009 Feb;52(2):251-255. 10.3345/kjp.2009.52.2.251.

Atypical presentation of Kawasaki disease resembling a retropharyngeal abscess

• Kim EJ
• Lim YS
• Yoon JE
• Han HS

• KMID: 2281684
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2009.52.2.251

Abstract

Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic inflammatory disorder, the etiology of which has not yet been established. The clinical manifestations are non-specific and are common to many pediatric infectious and immunologic diseases. In 2 cases presenting fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, and retropharyngeal abscess-like lesions on the neck shown in a computerized tomography (CT) scan, the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease was delayed. The patients were not responsive to antibiotic therapy, and fluid collection was not found during retropharyngeal aspiration. They showed typical Kawasaki manifestations over time and atrioventricular valve regurgitation in the echocardiogram. A diagnosis of Kawasaki disease should be considered in similar cases of fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. A CT scan that shows a retropharyngeal abscess-like lesion on the neck can be a false positive finding, and other laboratory exams, including echocardiography, should be performed as early as possible to avoid unnecessary medical and surgical procedures.

Keyword

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome; Retropharyngeal abscess

MeSH Terms

Echocardiography
Fever
Humans
Immune System Diseases
Lymphatic Diseases
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome
Neck
Retropharyngeal Abscess