Kimura’s Disease
Kimura disease is a rare, benign, chronic inflammatory disorder that mainly involves the subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes and salivary glands of the head and neck. Its hallmark is a combination of painless lumps under the skin, a very high blood eosinophil count and a sharply raised serum IgE level.
At Haute-Derma, we treat Kimura disease as a systemic immune disorder that calls for a multi-layered approach. Our goals are to shrink the lumps for a better cosmetic result and to bring the eosinophil count under control, protecting kidney function and avoiding the glomerulonephritis that often accompanies this condition.
Our Approach to Treating Kimura Disease
Our specialists at Haute-Derma regard Kimura disease as a diagnostic challenge, because it is easily mistaken for malignant tumors such as lymphoma or for epithelioid hemangioma. We rely on biopsy and detailed immunological testing to establish the correct diagnosis from the outset.
We favor conservative treatment combined with modern technology to keep invasive surgery to a minimum, since surgery alone carries a high recurrence rate in Kimura disease. At Haute-Derma, your treatment plan also includes managing IgE levels and regular kidney function checks to keep you safe.
Our Kimura disease management program includes:
- Immunological and hematological tests to measure eosinophil and IgE levels.
- Immunomodulatory therapy and targeted biologic drugs.
- Low-dose radiotherapy or cosmetic surgery for persistent fibrotic lumps.
How We Diagnose Kimura Disease at Haute-Derma
To confirm the diagnosis and assess how far the disease affects the body as a whole, Haute-Derma follows a thorough diagnostic process:
- Clinical assessment: We look for firm, painless subcutaneous lumps, typically around the ears, below the jaw or on the cheeks.
- Lymph node examination: We check for enlargement of nearby lymph nodes, most often in the neck.
- Complete blood count: This typically shows marked eosinophilia (usually 10–20% of all white blood cells) and an elevated serum IgE level.
- Histopathology: The biopsy is examined for lymphoid follicle hyperplasia, proliferation of postcapillary venules and a dense eosinophilic infiltrate in the tissue.
- Kidney screening: Regular urine tests pick up proteinuria early so that associated nephrotic syndrome can be ruled out.
How Is Kimura Disease Treated at Haute-Derma?
Our treatment protocol aims to reduce inflammation and prevent local recurrence:
- Systemic corticosteroids: An effective first-line treatment that shrinks the lumps quickly. At Haute-Derma, we use a short loading course followed by a gradual taper to limit side effects.
- Immunosuppressants and biologic therapy (cyclosporine/mepolizumab): Immunosuppressants or anti-IL-5 drugs help maintain the response, and are particularly useful when the disease returns after corticosteroids are stopped.
- Low-dose radiotherapy: We consider this as an adjunct for lumps that keep coming back. It gives very good local control with few systemic side effects.
- Cosmetic surgical excision: Reserved for lumps that significantly affect appearance or function. We use microsurgical techniques to minimize scarring and protect the facial nerves.
- Managing kidney complications: We work with nephrologists to treat glomerulonephritis linked to eosinophilia.
