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Kawasaki disease—sudden death as the first presenting symptom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2008

Louis Tsun-cheung Chow*
Affiliation:
From the Institute of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Wing-hing Chow
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Grantham Hospital, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Christopher Chun-hing Tse
Affiliation:
From the Institute of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Eric Hon-man Wong
Affiliation:
Forensic Pathology Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong
Koon-sang Wong
Affiliation:
Forensic Pathology Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong
David Chi-pang Yip
Affiliation:
Forensic Pathology Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong
*
Dr. Louis T.C. Chow, Institute of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Wylie Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel. 852–710–2816; Fax. 852–385–2455

Summary

Two patients are described with sudden death as the first presenting symptom of Kawasaki disease. The first patient died of cardiac tamponade as a result of rupture of a coronary arterial aneurysm at the age of three months and nineteen days. The second patient, one and half years old, developed acute myocardial infarction secondary to coronary arterial aneurysm and thrombosis. The true nature of their underlying disease was realized only after postmortem examination. Their clinical signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease might be so mild as to escape recognition. A high index of suspicion should be exercised by the clinician in order not to miss this condition, especially in places where Kawasaki disease is uncommon.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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