Kimura disease, also known as eosinophilic hyperplastic lymphogranuloma, is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the development of unilateral and painless cervical lymphadenopathy and/or subcutaneous lymphoid masses, usually on the head and neck.

Kimura disease is most common in Asia. Patients with Kimura disease are usually young adults, although the disease may present during adolescence, particularly in Chinese and Japanese males. Men are affected more often than women. About 15%-20% of patients with Kimura disease also have nephrotic syndrome, although the pathophysiologic basis for this association is unclear, and acute glomerulonephritis is seen in about one-half of patients.

It is thought that the disease may represent a hypersensitivity or autoimmune process, but regardless, the end result is clearly an abnormal proliferation of lymphoid follicles and vascular endothelium. Of note, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) and Kimura disease, once thought to be disease variants, are now recognized to be separate, distinct diseases with specific clinical and histologic features.

Pediatric Patient Considerations:
Rare in children.