Retropharyngeal cellulitis: a manifestation of Kawasaki disease in children

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome is an acute febrile illness with prominent vasculitic features. The cause is unknown and the disease is seen most commonly in young children. After its initial description in Japan, the disease was thought to be rare in the United States, but recognition has dramatically increased over the past decade. Common symptoms of the disease for which the otolaryngologist may be initially consulted include inflammation of the lips and oral cavity and acute cervical lymphadenopathy. We present a case of Kawasaki disease initially complicated by retropharyngeal soft tissue swelling. Similar reports are rare in the pediatric literature; however, no such reports appear in the otolaryngology literature.