Pulmonary embolism as the initial clinical presentation of Kimura disease: case report and literature review.

Pulmonary embolism is clinically critical in that if misdiagnosed or delayed, the mortality is very high. The recognition of its risk factor or underlying disease is important for prevention of recurrence. Kimura disease is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease, which is seldom associated with thrombosis. We reported a 47-year-old male case presenting with pleural pain and dyspnoea and was found to have pulmonary embolism. After successful management of pulmonary embolism, he was noticed to have eosinophilia and lymphadenopathy. Pathologic examination of a resected lymph node has confirmed the diagnosis of Kimura disease. The patient was treated with corticosteroid and cyclosporine A, with a significant improvement of the symptoms and signs of Kimura disease and no recurrence of any thromboembolism. Associated literatures were reviewed to explore the pathogenesis underlying the thrombotic event in Kimura disease cases. It is suggested that hypereosinophilia may play a key role in thrombosis formation. The control of hypereosinophilia may contribute to the prevention of thrombosis and its recurrence in patients with Kimura disease.