Retropharyngeal involvement in Kawasaki disease--a report of four patients with retropharyngeal edema verified by magnetic resonance imaging

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Oct;78(10):1774-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2014.07.008. Epub 2014 Jul 12.

Abstract

Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis of childhood. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria. Prognosis with adequate treatment is favorable. Untreated patients, however, may develop coronary manifestations predisposing to acute myocardial infarction. Retropharyngeal edema is a rare but known manifestation of Kawasaki disease. We present a case series of four Kawasaki patients presenting with clinical findings for retropharyngeal abscess and the magnetic resonance imaging findings of these patients, diagnosed during a six week period. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic report of cervical MRI findings of Kawasaki patients.

Keywords: Arthritis; Kawasaki disease; MRI; Retropharyngeal edema.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Edema
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / complications*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Neck Pain / diagnosis*
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / etiology
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Aspirin