Kawasaki disease with acute myocarditis in an adolescent

Abstract

A previously healthy 16-year-old adolescent was admitted to our hospital with fever, sore throat, diarrhoea, strawberry tongue, rashes on lower extremities, and pain in the neck, abdomen and joints. He was initially diagnosed with IgA vasculitis triggered by acute pharyngitis. Despite antibiotic treatment, he gradually developed multiorgan failure and cardiac shock. Cardiac catheterisation did not show any signs of coronary artery disease. Subsequently, he developed serious rhabdomyolysis and peripheral extremity necrosis, suggesting peripheral arteritis. Although blood culture results were negative, he received endotoxin adsorption therapy, but it was ineffective. Hence, we suspected Kawasaki disease (KD). We administered high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (2 g/kg), which was effective. He gradually recovered without major complications and was given ambulatory discharge 43 days after admission. Early diagnosis and administration of intensive care in adolescents with KD with acute myocarditis are critical but challenging.