A case report of Kawasaki disease with swelling of the left arytenoid and epiglottis

Abstract

We report a case of Kawasaki disease with swelling of the left arytenoid and epiglottis. A 5-year-old boy, who had a history of two episodes of Kawasaki disease, was hospitalized due to high fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Pediatricians had treated him with antibiotics ; however, his condition had not improved. Moreover, an otolaryngologist found swelling of the left arytenoid and epiglottis. After 6 days of fever, polymorphous skin rashes appeared on his back and he developed conjunctival congestion. Based on these findings, he was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. Antibiotics were discontinued and gamma globulin therapy was initiated. This led to the rapid resolution of his fever and lymph node swelling and improved the clinical findings. Kawasaki disease should be considered when antibiotic-refractory acute upper airway inflammation develops in older children.