Kawasaki disease manifesting as bilateral facial nerve palsy and meningitis: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute multisystem vasculitic syndrome that predominantly affects infants and young children. Neurological complications are rare in patients with KD and the diagnosis is challenging. We report a case of KD that manifested as bilateral facial nerve palsy and meningitis. CASE REPORT: A 6-month-old boy presented with a 10-day history of fever. Four days before admission, the patient developed a rash, conjunctival injection, perioral and perianal excoriation, and bilateral facial nerve palsy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was normal. Echocardiography showed dilated coronary arteries and coronary artery aneurysms. A cerebrospinal fluid examination showed an elevated leukocyte count. A diagnosis of KD was made, and the patient was treated with gamma globulin and aspirin. The patient’s fever subsided on the following day and the right-sided facial nerve palsy was relieved 1 month later. An 18-month follow-up showed that the left-sided facial nerve palsy persisted and the patient’s condition remained stable. CONCLUSION: KD manifesting as bilateral facial nerve palsy and meningitis is extremely rare. Clinicians should be aware of this condition, and early diagnosis and appropriate treatment should be emphasized.