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Am J DermpathCase report

Epitrochlear Kimura Disease With Concurrent Prurigo Nodularis.

Debenham LJ, Nguyen AJ, Wenger DE, Tande AJ, Thangaiah JJ

American Journal of DermatopathologyIn the feed 17 Jul 2026, published online 13 Jul 2026, issue 2026 Jul 13, added to PubMed 17 Jul 2026

Topics: Itch & prurigoDermatopathologySurgery & Mohs

Abstract

Kimura disease typically presents with painless head and neck swelling in young adults of Asian descent, accompanied by peripheral eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE. We report a case of Kimura disease in a woman in her early 30s presenting with a slowly enlarging epitrochlear mass, diffuse encasement of the median and medial brachial cutaneous nerves, and a concurrent prurigo nodularis-like papular rash affecting all 4 extremities. The diagnosis required over 1 year of investigation and 5 tissue specimens, including 2 nondiagnostic core-needle biopsies, before near total excision was performed. The excision revealed characteristic histopathologic features, including hyperplastic reactive secondary lymphoid follicles with preserved architecture, a marked eosinophilic infiltrate with eosinophilic microabscesses, postcapillary venule proliferation, and patternless stromal fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a raised IgG4:IgG plasma cell ratio of approximately 1:1, with 150-200 IgG4-positive plasma cells per high-power field, raising the differential of IgG4-related disease; however, the absence of storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis, combined with the clinical and serologic profile, favored Kimura disease. This case is notable for its rare epitrochlear location, extensive neural involvement, concurrent diffuse cutaneous eruption, and histopathologic overlap with IgG4-related disease, highlighting the diagnostic challenges posed by atypical presentations of Kimura disease.

Abstract from PubMed

PMID 42468516 · DOI 10.1097/DAD.0000000000003383

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